‘By instinct I’m an adventurer; by choice I’d like to be a writer; by pure, unadulterated luck, I’m an actor’ is Errol Flynn’s often quoted reflection on his career. Hollywood glamour photographer George Hurrell captured Flynn at his very best, eliminating his flaws through his use of high contrast and sharp focus to emphasise his chiselled jaw, groomed moustache and suave demeanour. Flynn’s on-and-off screen personas merged to create a personal mythology of a freedom-loving rebel who wins the hearts of damsels.
Gift of Michael Desmond 2012
National Portrait Gallery, Canberra
Accession number: 2012.21
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On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves: who we read, who we watch, who we listen to, who we cheer for, who we aspire to be, and who we'll never forget. The Companion is available to buy online and in the Portrait Gallery Store.
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