B. 1899 – 1970 

William Dobell represents one of Australia’s most significant modernists. Studying at both the Julian Ashton School and Slade School of Fine Art in London, he was best known for his expressive portraits, three of which won him the Archibald Prize. 

After living in London, Dobell returned to Australia in 1939 where he embarked on a series Australian “types” – witty expressions of ocker archetypes. In 1941 he was conscripted into the Civil Construction Corps and from 1942 served as an official war artist, receiving recognition for his work with an exhibition alongside Margaret Preston at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. 

Dobell’s renown however, curdled into infamy the following year when he again won the Archibald for an exaggerated portrait of fellow artist Joshua Smith. Conservative artists Joseph Wolinski and Mary Edwards condemned Dobell's painting, accusing it of being a caricature and thus not eligible for the prize, suing the AGNSW for breach of trust. In retort Dobell argued that he was: 

“trying to create something, instead of copying something… so long as people expect paintings to be simply coloured photographs they get no individuality and in the case of portraits, no characterisation.” 

The lawsuit caused Dobell to have a mental breakdown. Despite this, he returned to art, winning the Archibald Prize once more in 1949 for a portrait of Margaret Olley. In 1954 he represented Australia at the Venice Biennale, was knighted for his services to art in 1966 and the AGNSW named the Dobell Prize for drawing his honour. 

To read a more in-depth biography of the artist, click here.