Sydney through artists' eyes

The Elinor and Fred Wrobel collection

Elinor and Fred Wrobel have been passionate collectors of Australian art since the 1960s when they were not wealthy investors, but rather skilled and committed foragers. Their collection now includes more than 1000 works of art from the 1840s to the present day.

A chance meeting with the painter John Passmore led to a lifelong friendship. When Passmore died he left his estate of 270 paintings to Elinor and Fred, who established the John Passmore museum in the old Merryfield Hotel in Woolloomooloo to display this remarkable collection for the enjoyment of all.

Elinor Wrobel, known by many as the ‘omnivorous’ collector – a most acquisitive woman – has generously decided to display and sell some of the works on paper relating to Sydney and its environs, with profits from the sale going to the Historic Houses Trust members.

Works from the Wrobel Collection have toured every state in Australia since 1978 and have been loaned to the Historic Houses Trust and major public galleries. The Wrobels’ passion for collecting is only equalled by their passion for sharing.

Past exhibition

  • 15 July 2011 - 26 August 2011

Location
The Mint