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William Dobell has an almost legendary place in Archibald Prize history due to this controversial 1943 winning portrait of artist Joshua Smith.
One of Dobell's three entries for the 1943 competition, Portrait of an Artist (Joshua Smith), was born from friendship: William Dobell and Joshua Smith shared work and a tent while in the Allied Works Council during World War II. But Joshua Smith was not just a Dobell portrait subject, he was a competitor.
In 1943, Dobell's portrait of Joshua Smith, titled "Portrait of an artist", was awarded the Archibald Prize.
Smith painted several memorable portraits, including one of Dame Mary Gilmore and a haunting study of his parents acquired by the Art Gallery of NSW in 1943. He was a regular exhibitor in the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes for many years.
Smith painted several memorable portraits, including one of Dame Mary Gilmore and a haunting study of his parents acquired by the Art Gallery of NSW in 1943. He was a regular exhibitor in the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes for many years.
In a hushed court today, William Dobell told how he came to paint the portrait of Joshua Smith, which has created the greatest controversy in Australian art. ...
William Dobell’s painting of fellow Archibald artist Joshua Smith was awarded the prize, leading to the biggest controversy in its history. The unusual style of the painting, described by some as a ‘caricature’, drew record crowds to the Gallery, with opening hours and the exhibition period both extended to meet visitor demand.
