Judith M Perrey Portrait of Ian Cole

The subject of this portrait by Judith M Perrey is artist Ian Cole.

After studying at Melbourne Technical College (RMIT), Cole worked in advertising and publishing for many years.

Perrey had studied at the National Gallery of Victoria School, with William Dargie later commenting that she was the most naturally gifted student who passed through the school during his directorship, and stating that the previous director, Charles Wheeler, had thought the same.

Perrey and Cole met when they both worked at The Herald Promotions Studio in the late 1940s and the two remained in touch.

This was the second portrait by Perrey to be selected for display in the Archibald Prize; the first was in 1948. Cole would go on to exhibit in the 1964 Sulman Prize.