28 September 2021
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Australia Post is commemorating the centenary of the Archibald Prize at the Art Gallery of NSW in Sydney, with the release of three stamps featuring prize-winning portraits from William Dobell, William Dargie and Del Kathryn Barton.
First awarded in 1921, the Archibald Prize was established following a bequest from former Art Gallery of NSW trustee and founder of The Bulletin magazine, JF Archibald (1856-1919), whose aim was to foster portraiture and support artists.
Australia Post Group Manager Philatelic Michael Zsolt said the new stamps were a fitting way to honour the annual open competition, which celebrates figures from all walks of life.
‘The selected portraits are three of more than 6,000 finalist works that have been shown in the Archibald Prize over the last century. We love celebrating these historic moments as part of the Australia Post Stamp Program and we look forward to seeing many more iconic works featured in future Archibald Prizes.’
- The $1.10 stamp features Margaret Olley 1948 by William Dobell, an enduring favourite at the Art Gallery of NSW which depicts a beloved figure and important benefactor to the arts.
- The second portrait is of Albert Namatjira by William Dargie from 1956, shows the Western Arrernte artist Albert Namatjira (1902–1959), and is said to be one of the most recognisable and universally respected of all Archibald winners. This iconic portrait was painted in Sydney when Namatjira visited the city.
- Finally we see ‘hugo’ by Del Kathryn Barton (2013) which features one of Australia’s most acclaimed actors, Hugo Weaving. Barton is renowned for decorative, highly detailed paintings with vibrant, figurative imagery.
Issue date: 28 September 2021, auspost.com.au/stamps
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