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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.

Charles Wheeler

1961
Louis Kahan AO

pen and ink on paper (sheet: 56.5 cm x 38.0 cm)

Charles Wheeler OBE (1881–1977), artist, won the Archibald Prize in 1933 for a portrait of the popular Melbourne-based writer Ambrose Pratt. Born in Dunedin, New Zealand, Wheeler came to Australia as a child. He began his career as an apprentice lithographer before training as an artist at the Working Men's College and the National Gallery School. In 1910, Wheeler held his first solo show and sold works to the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the National Gallery of Victoria. Two years later he travelled to London and Paris, where he exhibited at the Paris Salon. During the First World War he served with the Royal Fusiliers in France, winning the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions at Vimy in 1916. After the war, Wheeler spent a year in London and exhibited at the Royal Academy before returning to Melbourne. He soon became well-known for his nudes and portraiture, as well as his landscapes, winning the New South Wales Art Quest Prize, the George Crouch Prize and the Archibald. He also worked as a teacher, becoming an assistant drawing instructor at the National Gallery School in 1927 and drawing master in 1935; from 1939 to 1945 he was painting master and head of the School. Wheeler continued painting well into his old age, turning late in life to impressionistic landscapes.

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Mrs Lily Kahan 2006
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program
© Louis Kahan/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

Louis Kahan AO (age 56 in 1961)

Charles Wheeler (age 80 in 1961)

Subject professions

Visual arts and crafts

Donated by

Lily Kahan (52 portraits)

© National Portrait Gallery 2024
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ABN: 54 74 277 1196

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