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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.

The Gallery’s Acknowledgement of Country, and information on culturally sensitive and restricted content and the use of historic language in the collection can be found here.

Neville and Jill Wran - as the Duke and Duchess of Sydney (with apologies to Piero della Francesca)

1983
Frank Hodgkinson

oil on canvas (diptych) (dimensions variable)

Neville Wran AC QC (1926–2014) was Premier of New South Wales from 1976 to 1986. Nicknamed 'Nifty Nev' because of his electoral success and skilful handling of the media, Wran initiated a raft of legal, social and cultural reforms. In 1983 he stood aside as premier while a Royal Commission investigated allegations of corruption. He was exonerated and resigned from politics in 1986. He and his second wife Jill Hickson AM (b. 1948) married in 1976. Formerly a literary agent, in 1983 Hickson founded Hickson Associates, which represented authors including Bryce Courtenay, Thomas Keneally and Kathy Lette. A longstanding supporter and former chair of the Historic Houses Trust, she served on many boards including those of the Sydney Opera House Trust and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

Frank Hodgkinson's portraits reference two of the most famous artworks of the Italian Renaissance, the Portraits of the Duke and Duchess of Urbino 1465–1472 by Piero della Francesca. Depicting the couple against a Sydney Harbour backdrop, the portraits were made during Wran's term as premier.

Gift of Mrs Kate Hodgkinson 1999. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.
© Frank Hodgkinson/Copyright Agency, 2024

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. Works of art from the collection are reproduced as per the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). The use of images of works from the collection may be restricted under the Act. Requests for a reproduction of a work of art can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

Artist and subject

Frank Hodgkinson (age 64 in 1983)

Neville Wran AC QC (age 57 in 1983)

Jill Hickson Wran AM (age 35 in 1983)

Donated by

Frank Hodgkinson (1 portrait)

© National Portrait Gallery 2024
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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.

This website comprises and contains copyrighted materials and works. Copyright in all materials and/or works comprising or contained within this website remains with the National Portrait Gallery and other copyright owners as specified.

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. The use of images of works of art reproduced on this website and all other content may be restricted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Requests for a reproduction of a work of art or other content can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

The National Portrait Gallery is an Australian Government Agency