We acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the Country on which the Art Gallery of NSW stands.

Charles Wheeler Mrs George Benson

oil on canvas

89.5 x 59.5 cm

Image courtesy Christie's Images

This portrait by Charles Wheeler depicts Violet Bessie Knight (1894-1976) who had married the artist George Courtney Benson (1886–1960) the same year the work was painted. George Benson was an Australian painter, muralist and cartoonist, and an official war artist during World War I.

Violet’s sister, Hattie Martha Knight (1886-1965), was a celebrated journalist and gave up her career when she married politician John William Leckie (1872-1947) in 1917.