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Archibald Prize
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Archibald Prize

The Archibald Prize is regarded as the most important portraiture prize, and is the most prominent of all arts prizes, in Australia. It began in 1921 after a bequest from J F Archibald, the editor of The Bulletin, and is awarded annually by the Trustees of the Art Gallery of New South Wales for "the best portrait, preferentially of some man or woman distinguished in Art, Letters, Science or Politics, painted by an artist resident in Australasia during the 12 months preceding the date fixed by the Trustees for sending in the pictures."

The Archibald is the only artist's prize that receives much attention in the general press. Part of the reason is probably that many of the paintings feature prominent Australians such as actors, sportspeople, and politicians, and thus making the art more accessible than other genres. Additionally, the prize has historically attracted a good deal of controversy and at least two court cases; the first in 1943 when William Dobell's win was challenged because of claims it was a caricature rather than a painting, and in 2004 when Craig Ruddy's image of David Gulpilil, which won both the main prize and the "People's Choice" award (voted by those who attend the exhibition of the finalists), was challenged on the basis that it was a charcoal sketch rather than a painting.

List of Winners

Year - Artist - Title