Loti Smorgon AO (née Kiffer; 1919 – 20 August 2013) was an Australian philanthropist. Along with her husband, Victor Smorgon, she donated an estimated $40 million in cash and artwork to the National Gallery of Victoria.[1]

Loti married Victor in 1937,[2] and they were married for 73 years until his death in 2009. They were both made Officers of the Order of Australia in the 1990 Queen's Birthday Honours[3] (Victor was later elevated to Companion)[4] and were both featured on the Australian Legends series of postage stamps in 2008.[5]

She was also the subject of a 1981 portrait by Andy Warhol. Titled Loti Smorgon, it is in the National Gallery of Victoria.[6]

References

  1. ^ Lowe, Adrian (21 August 2013). "Loti Smorgon dies after lifetime of philanthropy". The Age. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  2. ^ "Our Melbourne Page". The Westralian Judean. Vol. 8, no. 92. Western Australia. 1 April 1937. p. 10. Retrieved 24 May 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ Freedman, Bernard (15 June 1990). "Smorgons top Jewish Birthday Honours". The Australian Jewish News. Vol. 56, no. 36. Victoria, Australia. p. 3. Retrieved 24 May 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ "Mr Victor Smorgon". It's an Honour. 2007-06-11. Retrieved 2022-05-23.
  5. ^ "New stamps honour five philanthropists". The Age. 2008-01-25. Retrieved 2022-05-23.
  6. ^ "Loti Smorgon". National Gallery of Victoria. Retrieved 23 May 2022.


Categories