Heinrich Egersdörfer ( 1853 - 1915)

German born artist, painter, illustrator, and cartoonist, born in Nuremberg, Germany, where he trained as a lithographer. After serving in the Franco-Prussian War, he travelled extensively, spending time in England and later moving to South Africa in 1879. There, he founded The South African Illustrated News in 1884 and produced many postcards. After the paper folded in the late 1880s, he relocated to Australia.

In Australia, Egersdorfer contributed to the Illustrated Sydney News and Town and Country Journal, signing his work “H.E.” Notable illustrations include Mining Life in Victoria and a settler scene published in 1887. From 1889, he drew cartoons for The Bulletin, often signed “Heiner Egersdorfer”, including satirical takes on colonial life and military affairs.

He exhibited with the Art Society of NSW from 1887 and later lived in Victoria with the Lindsay brothers. Though said to influence their style, his work shows little trace of German black-and-white art traditions.

Returning permanently to South Africa, he worked as a war artist during the Boer War, contributing to The Graphic and The Owl. He was the main cartoonist for The South African Review until its later issues. In 1900, The South African Review Book of 50 Famous Cartoons was published, featuring his anti-Boer illustrations. His work appeared in The Graphic until 1908. He died in England in 1915.