John Longstaff
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Sir John Longstaff (1862-1941) Australian war artist, winner of the Archibald Prize five times.
Born at Clunes, Victoria, he studied at the Melbourne National Gallery School. Won the National Gallery of Victoria's first travelling scholarship, and went to Europe. He travelled to Paris, where he exhibited in the Paris Salon. Later moved to London where he painted many portraits. He returned to Australia in 1894 and was given several commissions. Travelled to London again in 1901, where he exhibited with the Royal Academy.
Was appointed an official war artist with the Australian Infantry Force in the First World War, he made several portraits of officers in the military. On his return to Australia he won several awards and given distinguished positions, such as his appointment to President of the Victorian Artists Society in 1924, and Trustee of the National Gallery of Victoria in 1927. He was knighted in 1928, the first Australian artist to have had this honour.
His Archibald Prize winning pieces:
- 1925 - Portrait of Maurice Moscovitch
- 1928 - Portrait of Dr Alexander Leeper
- 1929 - W A Holman, KC
- 1931 - Sir John Sulman
- 1935 - A B ('Banjo') Paterson
