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Storyline & Synopsis

Acclaimed Australian artists Clifton Pugh, William Dargie, William Dobell, Russell Drysdale, Jon Molvig and Andrew Sibley discuss their approach to portraiture, providing an insight into the unique challenges that face a portrait painter. Through examples of their work and the work of other eminent painters such as Augustus Earle, Sir John Longstaff, George Lambert and Max Meldrum, a study is made of Australian portraiture from early colonial days until the 1960s. The film also looks at the establishment of the Archibald Prize and the National Gallery School in Melbourne. There is insight too into the subjects of portraits, with painter Margaret Olley appearing in the film as a sitter for a portrait and Clifton Pugh reflecting on the difficulties facing his wife Marlene as a painter and mother.