John Schaeffer (art collector)
John Schaeffer is a Dutch born Australian art collector and businessman. Schaeffer predominantly collects 19th-century British art, specialising in works by the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.[1] Schaeffer emigrated to Australia from Holland in the late 1950s, working as a ship's steward.[1] In Australia Schaeffer established a security and cleaning company, Tempo Services Ltd., which he later sold. In 2004 Schaeffer sold Rona, the most expensive house in Sydney, which he had acquired in 1989.[1]
Schaeffer initially collected 19th-century Australian paintings, but was entranced by the 1984 exhibition The Pre-Raphaelites at Tate Britain.[1] His initial art purchases in the 1970s were Australian paintings by Rupert Bunny, Emanuel Philips Fox and John Peter Russell.[2] Three paintings from Schaeffer's collection are in the permanent collection of the Leighton House Museum in Holland Park, West London. The restoration of the gilded ceiling of the Narcissus Hall at Leighton House was also supported by Schaeffer.[2] Schaeffer's art collection held 200 pieces at its peak, but was greatly diminished by business debts and the financial effects of his divorce.[1]
Schaeffer is a part owner of the British Movietone Archive.[1] Schaeffer is board member of the National Gallery of Australia Foundation, as well as a board member and Life Governor of the Art Gallery of New South Wales.[2]