Self-made businessman, John Schaeffer was arguably Australia’s greatest collector of Pre-Raphaelite art, his gifts to our state institutions leaving a legacy for generations.
John Schaeffer in 2017 with An athlete wrestling with a python 1888-91, by Lord Frederic Leighton, gift of John Schaeffer AO to the Art Gallery of New South Wales, 2017. Donated through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program. Photo: AGNSW, Christopher Snee.
The Sydney businessman and philanthropist tragically died this week, when he was hit by a Ford Ranger ute in Sydney’s CBD on Monday. He passed on 14 July, aged 79. The driver of the vehicle will appear in court in August.
Schaeffer’s death has shocked the art world. ‘He was probably one of our greatest arts patrons and he has never really been fully recognised for that,’ said art critic John McDonald in Sydney Morning Herald.
Gina Fairley is ArtsHub's Senior Contributor, after 12 years in the role as National Visual Arts Editor. She has worked for extended periods in America and Southeast Asia, as gallerist, arts administrator and regional contributing editor for a number of magazines, including Hong Kong based Asian Art News and World Sculpture News. She is an Art Tour leader for the AGNSW Members, and lectures regularly on the state of the arts. She is based in Mittagong, regional NSW.
Instagram: fairleygina
