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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.

Henry McRae (1890—1938)

by Percy Leason

Henry McRae (1890—1938)

oil on canvas
76.5 x 61.2
No. 34 in 1934 exhibition
Koorie Heritage Trust Collection

Henry McRae was born at Lake Moodemeere, near Wahgunyah, in October 1889. Henry lived at Coranderrk for the early part of his life and married Elizabeth Hamilton in 1909. There are very few notes about this portrait. The artist may have arranged for Henry and Elizabeth to travel to Melbourne and they stayed with his family for the several days the sittings lasted. The portrait was executed in his Eltham studio, against a flat grey background in July, soon after completion of the Pentridge portraits. Painted over two days, the artist recorded:

"Second day on Henry McRae’s portrait, probably the best yet. He a very good model"

The pose is strong and assured and possesses considerable dignity, apparent in the strongly modelled face.

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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