From 1946–47, Sidney Nolan developed an original and starkly simplified image of Ned Kelly in his homemade armour, which quickly became a national symbol – part of the shared iconography of Australia.
The National Gallery of Australia acquired its first work from the series in 1972, and in 1977, Sunday Reed donated twenty-five of the twenty-seven paintings from Nolan’s first exhibited Ned Kelly series. Together, these paintings provide a masterclass on Australian art history and the development of a new figuration and landscape painting in Australian art.
Sidney Nolan, Ned Kelly, 1946 from the ‘Ned Kelly’ series 1946–1947, enamel paint on composition board, 90.8 × 121.5cm. Gift of Sunday Reed 1977, National Gallery of Australia, Australian Capital Territory. Courtesy National Gallery of Australia, Australian Capital Territory
Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
29 October 2021 to 20 February 2022
Hobart
