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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

The Gallery’s Acknowledgement of Country, and information on culturally sensitive and restricted content and the use of historic language in the collection can be found here.

Sketch for Prime Minister Robert Menzies

1960
Sir William Dobell OBE

watercolour and gouache on paper (sheet: 25.2 cm x 24.0 cm)

William Dobell studied at the Julian Ashton Art School in Sydney before heading overseas in 1929. In London, he trained at the Slade School and with William Orpen, and made his own study of works by artists such as Rembrandt, Turner, Van Gogh and Ingres. He subsequently became known for portraits in which likeness and character were potently yet expressively evoked. Having recovered from the damage inflicted by a legal challenge to his win in the 1943 Archibald Prize, Dobell went on to create some of the best Australian portraits of the twentieth century, his sitters including artist Margaret Olley, cosmetics magnate Helena Rubinstein and writer Mary Gilmore.

In 1960, a year after his third Archibald win, Time magazine commissioned Dobell to create a portrait of then prime minister Sir Robert Menzies (1894–1978). Dobell had less than a fortnight to create the work and was able to secure only two sittings during which he made a number of 'small watercolour paintings' like this one. 'I think altogether I had about 40 minutes with the Prime Minister … and I think I got a fairly good job done in the time allowed me.' The finished portrait – now held by the Art Gallery of New South Wales – was the cover image of Time for 4 April 1960.

Purchased with funds provided by L Gordon Darling AC CMG 1999
© William Dobell/Copyright Agency, 2024

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. Works of art from the collection are reproduced as per the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). The use of images of works from the collection may be restricted under the Act. Requests for a reproduction of a work of art can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

Artist and subject

Sir William Dobell OBE (age 61 in 1960)

Sir Robert Menzies KT AK CH LLM QC (age 66 in 1960)

Supported by

The Gordon Darling Foundation (36 portraits supported)

© National Portrait Gallery 2024
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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

This website comprises and contains copyrighted materials and works. Copyright in all materials and/or works comprising or contained within this website remains with the National Portrait Gallery and other copyright owners as specified.

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. The use of images of works of art reproduced on this website and all other content may be restricted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Requests for a reproduction of a work of art or other content can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

The National Portrait Gallery is an Australian Government Agency