H. A. Hanke

Henry Aloysius Hanke

(Born Sydney 14 June 1901. Died Sydney 29 September 1989)

Henry was an Australian painter and teacher, who won the Archibald Prize in 1934 with a self-portrait, and the inaugural Sulman Prize in 1936 with his painting La Gitana (the Gypsy).

Henry served in the Army during World War II from November 1942, initially as a signaller and later commissioned as an Officer and war artist from December 1943, during which he completed many paintings in New Guinea (now Papua New Guinea – PNG). Henry was the first war artist sent into the area after the battle, giving his work special historical weight - he documented not only the area of conflict but also the aftermath of what was a turning point in the war.

After the war, Henry returned to Sydney and became director of the Royal Art Society art school, continuing to paint and teach. His wartime experience remained a defining part of his legacy, linking him to the broader tradition of Australian artists who recorded national history through frontline observation.

Apart from the Australian War Memorial, Henry’s works appear in private collections, auction house holdings, and Australian art market archives. There are repeated sales through major auction platforms, which indicates broad private ownership.