Arturo Steffani Australia, c1852-1931

Born Arthur Stevens born in England circa 1852 – “an aristocratic Englishman” – Stevens Italinised his name for professional reasons (see article in Australian press 2 November 1935 and also Freeman’s Journal 3 September 1898). He studied art as a student in South Kensington but also took up singing, and studied in Milan and sang in London in the “Mr Gye Covent Garden Opera Company” (Illustrated Sydney News 14 November 1889). Stevens arrived in Victoria about March 1877 aboard the vessel “Assam”. He was listed as an “adult” and does not appear to have been accompanied. In Australia he sang with the Sam Lazar Italian Opera Company, and continued to sing for about 3 years after arriving in Australia. He later became a singing teacher in Sydney, and also continued to paint and exhibit with the Art Society of NSW, where he was on committee for several years. In August 1898 Steffani and his wife left for Europe with the young Queensland singer, Florence Mary Schmidt (later married to the sculptor Derwent Wood) who Steffani had tutored. They spent time and Florence studied in Italy, Paris and London. Steffani and his wife returned to Australia in 1902 but then returned to London several years later.

We have records of art auction sales by Arturo Steffani from 1985 and in total 10 works by the artist have been offered for sale, of which 6 (60%) were sold. The highest price recorded for the artist is $4,720 for Palm Beach North & Kilcare sold by Davidson Auctions in October 2013. No works have been offered for sale this year, and the last sale we have recorded for the artist was in 2014.