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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.

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Self portrait in plus fours

c. 1939 (cast 2003)
Lyndon Dadswell CMG

cast bronze, edition 1/3 (89.0 cm x 33.0 cm depth 25.0 cm)

Lyndon Dadswell CMG, sculptor, studied at the Julian Ashton School before working with Rayner Hoff from 1926 to 1929 and Paul Montford from 1929 to 1935. In 1933 he won the Wynne Prize, and was awarded a scholarship that enabled him to study and travel in London and Europe. After war service, including a period as an official war artist, he made the King George Memorial in Sydney. Ten years later, he completed the Newcastle Memorial before taking up grants to study in the USA, UK and Europe. He taught at the National Art School in Sydney from 1937 to 1967, retiring as its Head. A retrospective exhibition of his (sometimes controversially modernist) work was held at the Art Gallery of New South Wales in 1978. The following year Margel Hinder observed that ‘there is hardly a sculptor in Sydney who is not indebted to Lyndon in some measure’.

As a sculpted self portrait, this work is a great rarity in Australian art history.

Purchased 2004
© Estate of Lyndon Dadswell

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

Lyndon Dadswell CMG (age 31 in 1939)

Subject professions

Visual arts and crafts

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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.

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