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Archie 100 A Century of the Archibald Prize

Archie 100 image

(left) William Dargie Portrait of Albert Namatjira 1956, Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art, purchased 1957 © Estate of William Dargie, photo: QAGOMA (right) Tempe Manning Self-portrait 1939, Art Gallery of New South Wales, acquired with the support of the Art Gallery Society of NSW through the Dagmar Halas Bequest © Estate of Tempe Manning

Celebrating 100 years of Australia’s most renowned portrait prize

In 2021, Australia’s oldest and most-loved portrait award, the Archibald Prize, celebrated its 100th birthday.

Arranged thematically, Archie 100: A Century of the Archibald Prize unearths fascinating stories behind more than 100 artworks carefully selected from every decade. It reflects not just how artistic styles and approaches to portraiture have changed over time but, importantly, the changing face of our nation.

Since 1921, the prize has attracted entries from both prominent and emerging artists in Australia and New Zealand, and featured people from all walks of life, from famous faces to local heroes.

Resulting from many years of research for lost portraits, this landmark exhibition features works from the Art Gallery’s collection as well as works from libraries, galleries and museums across Australia and New Zealand, and private Australian and international collections – some that have not been seen since first being exhibited in the Archibald.

Support partner

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government’s Visions of Australia program