About this Event
When William Dobell’s portrait of fellow-artist and close friend, Joshua Smith, was awarded the Archibald Prize in January 1944 it immediately drew praise and derision from a range of quarters in Australia’s bitterly divided art world. Spearheaded by Mary Edwards, one of the most controversial figures in the history of Australian art, the growing protest against the portrait soon spilled over into the political, legal, business and society worlds of the time.
Criticised by some as a caricature and by others as hinting at Smith’s homosexuality, the portrait, its subject and its creator were hounded by the press and vilified by conservative sections of the public and society. Many believed, however, that the portrait was a masterpiece and that it heralded a major achievement in Australian art. Enormous interest in the portrait and the controversy saw record crowds attend the exhibition of Archibald Prize finalists in 1944 and by the time of the court case in October it was replacing World War II on the front pages of Sydney newspapers.
Join us as Associate Professor Peter Edwell of Macquarie University discusses his book, The Case that Stopped a Nation, which provides an in-depth analysis of the Archibald Prize controversy of 1944.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Nowra Library, 10 Berry Street, Nowra, Australia
AUD 0.00
