The personal papers of Gertrude Langer (1908 – 1984) include diaries, correspondence, photographs, manuscripts and typescripts, notebooks and ephemera, including exhibition catalogues. The papers cover the period 1917 – 1984 including correspondence received between 1918 and 1984. The material from before 1938 includes papers relating to her Art History studies in Vienna and Paris as well as photographs taken during her travels in Europe. From 1929 onwards the papers include correspondence to and from her future husband Karl Langer (married in 1932), as well as photographs of their travels together. Correspondence and records from 1938 and early 1939 document the Langers’ escape from German-annexed Austria. Material after 1939 documents Gertrude Langer’s activities as a private art history educator and as an art critic in Brisbane. This material includes her lecture notes, lists of students attending the classes, printed ephemera, manuscripts and typescripts of her art reviews for the Courier Mail newspaper, as well as annotated exhibition catalogues. The papers also contain Arts Council of Australia and Queensland Art Gallery Society records, as well as material created by her husband Karl Langer. This includes correspondence received by him between 1922 and 1969, staff cards from his architectural firm (1950s), ephemera as well as sketch plans and architectural drawings for the Langers’ residence in St Lucia (1950).

Correspondence from Hedwig Ascher, Gertrude Langer’s cousin, daughter of her aunt Pauline ‘Paula’ Ascher (nee Freschl)

Includes letters from Barbara and Charles Blackman, Betty and Roy Churcher, Kathleen Campbell-Brown, Paul Engel, Ernst Greiff, Mary Grosser, Dorothy Helmrich. More letters from these correspondents may be contained in other boxes.

Photographs of Gertrude Langer’s friends and acquaintances, including school and university photographs, ca. 1918 – 1984
Includes photographs of architect Clemens Holzmeister and Gunda Lexer in Athens in 1939; Inscribed photographs of Lili Kraus; Photographs of Peter Behrens.

Six folders of correspondence from the Arts Council of Australia (Queensland Division) and its president Gertrude Langer. The last two folders contain general correspondence (incoming and outgoing), personal correspondence of Gertrude Langer, letters regarding staffing, notes and memoranda.

Three folders with resolutions, minutes, and reports of the Executive Committee of the Arts Council of Australia (Queensland Division) from 1961 to 1984 (not inclusive).