Louise Henderson Archive

Louise Henderson (1902-1994) is one of New Zealand’s most well-known cubist-inspired painters.

Born in Paris, she later trained at that city's School of Industrial Arts. Louise Etienette Sidonie Sauze worked as a graphic designer before marrying New Zealander Hubert Henderson, and immigrating to Christchurch in 1925. Henderson taught embroidery at the Canterbury Society of Arts before turning to painting in 1931. In 1952, she travelled to Europe and attended classes with the French artist Jean Metzinger. From the early 1950s, Henderson exhibited in New Zealand, Belgium, London and Paris and her works are well represented in all of the major public art museums in her adopted country. She received the honorific of Dame of the British Empire in 1993.

This archive consists of correspondence relating to Henderson’s personal and professional life, sketch books, appointment diaries, trip books, ephemera, press clippings and publications.

Accompanying image: 'Louise Henderson 1972' by Marti Friedlander from the collection of the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki, reproduced courtesy of the Gerrard and Marti Friedlander Charitable Trust.