The Life and Art of Jean Bellette
Born in Tasmania, Jean Bellette was an Australian modernist painter who studied at Julian Ashton's art school in Sydney under teachers such as Thea Proctor. Her education continued in London, where she studied under Bernard Meninsky and Mark Gertler, and later at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière in Paris. In 1935, she married the artist and critic Paul Haefliger.
Bellette's work frequently drew inspiration from the Greek tragedies of Euripides and Sophocles, as well as the epics of Homer. She achieved significant recognition in Australia, becoming the only woman to win the Sir John Sulman Prize more than once, claiming the award in 1942 with For Whom the Bell Tolls and in 1944 with Iphigenia in Tauris. Her subject matter included:
- Classical Greek themes such as Electra and Oedipus
- Still lifes, including Girl With Still Life
- Landscapes and textile designs
Later Years and Legacy
In 1957, Bellette and Haefliger moved to Majorca. While she continued to visit and exhibit in Australia, she did not return there to live. Her later paintings included landscapes and still lifes reflecting a Spanish influence, such as Spells for Planting. In addition to her painting, she created sets for a production of Shakespeare's Pericles, Prince of Tyre.
Bellette helped found the Blake Prize for Religious Art, serving as its inaugural judge. Her works are held in various public collections, including the National Gallery of Australia and the Art Gallery of New South Wales. She died in 1991.
