The Life and Art of Ralph Heimans
Ralph Jacob Heimans is an Australian-British contemporary portrait painter based in London, England. Born in Sydney to a Dutch father and a Lebanese mother, his family heritage is of Dutch and Lebanese Jewish descent. He attended Mosman High School and won the Australian National Art Award in 1987. His academic background includes studies in architecture, fine art, and pure mathematics, completing a BA at Sydney University in 1991, followed by further study in drawing at the Julian Ashton Art School.
Heimans was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2014 Birthday Honours for significant service to the visual arts as a portrait painter. He previously lived in South London with his wife, Tami Bokey, and two daughters, Ellie Rose and Hannah, before returning to live in Sydney after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Notable Portraits and Collections
Heimans is recognized for several large-scale Royal portraits, including:
- The official Diamond Jubilee portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, which is part of the Collection of Westminster Abbey.
- A portrait of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, acquired by the Royal Collection Trust.
- A portrait of the Prince of Wales, held in the Royal Collection at Dumfries House.
- A portrait of Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark, commissioned by Frederiksborg Castle.
- A 2006 portrait of Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark.
His work also features cultural figures such as Dame Judi Dench, Sir Ben Kingsley, and pianist Vladimir Ashkenasy. His Shakespeare400 series included authors Margaret Atwood, Howard Jacobson, Anne Tyler, Gillian Flynn, Tracy Chevalier, and Jo Nesbo. Heimans's paintings are held in various international collections, including the Smithsonian Institution, the National Portrait Gallery of Australia, and the European Court of Justice.
Questions & Answers
Where are Ralph Heimans's artworks mapped by subject?
The Subject Atlas of Ralph Heimans is a page that maps the artist's artworks by their subjects.
How do I find works by Ralph Heimans in a specific palette?
To find works by Ralph Heimans in a specific palette, use the artist's By Palettes page.
Where can I see Ralph Heimans's artworks in a 3D gallery?
A virtual visit is possible: the 3D Museum page of Ralph Heimans presents the artist's works in a three-dimensional gallery.
Where are Ralph Heimans's artworks grouped by art movement?
Ralph Heimans's works can be browsed by movement on the artist's All Movements page.
