The ‘Middle Earth’ mountain that captivated Hans Heysen

This little-seen Hans Heysen painting – set to be auctioned this weekend – captures a dramatic New Zealand mountain that more than 90 years later was to take a starring role in the blockbuster film trilogy The Lord of the Rings.

'Lost' Heysen watercolour tipped to set auction record

A Flinders Ranges painting by Sir Hans Heysen has returned home after being found in Germany, with Adelaide art dealer Jim Elder predicting it will break the South Australian record for a watercolour when it goes to auction next month.