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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

Bobby King (1906—1945)

by Percy Leason

Bobby King (1906—1945)

oil on canvas
76.4 x 61.3; in original frame
inscribed in pencil on card attached to frame: Bobby King / Born at Coranderrk 1909
No. 28 in 1934 exhibition
Gift of Mrs Everard Baillieu, 1986
La Trobe Picture Collection, State Library of Victoria

Robert (Bobby) King was born at Coranderrk Station, near Healesville, Victoria, in May 1906.

This portrait was painted at Pentridge Prison while Bobby King was serving a sentence of eighteen months for breaking into the Lake Tyers Store with Sydney McRae in July 1933. Emily Shaw, daughter of the Coranderrk Administrator, Joseph Shaw, criticised the severity of the sentence. However the Lake Tyers Station Administrator, Major Ronald Glen, was quoted in the Argus as saying: ‘they would thoroughly enjoy themselves in prison. It would be a glorious holiday to them’.

The portrait is strongly modelled by light, conveying a sense of strength and pride with the upward tilt of the head.

Related information

William Johnson (1873—1948) by Percy Leason
William Johnson (1873—1948) by Percy Leason
William Johnson (1873—1948) by Percy Leason
William Johnson (1873—1948) by Percy Leason

Recognition

Percy Leason's Aboriginal Portraits

Previous exhibition, 1999

Originally conceived as an anthropological record, Percy Leason’s powerful 1934 portraits of Victorian Aboriginal people are today considered to be a highlight of 20th century Australian portraiture
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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

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