About

William Boissevain was born in Manhattan Island, New York City, in 1927. The son of a Dutch Diplomat and French Socialite.

From a young age he travelled the world with his parents on their numerous diplomatic engagements, which including Peru, Paris, Shanghai and London.

During World II, the Boissevains were interned by the Japanese forces in Shanghai. Later, William and his mother made the treacherous journey back to Amsterdam. In 1944, the family then relocated to Paris, where he attended the École des Beaux-Arts. It was here that he first began to develop his impressionist style under the tutorage of Conrad Kickert. This was followed by a period at the London School of Arts and Crafts.

In 1949, William moved to Australia to escape the chaos of post-war Europe, falling in love with the rugged landscape and remained there until his death in 2024.