The Archibald Prize is an annual art award in Australia for the best portrait painting of a distinguished person. It is considered one of the most prestigious art awards in the country, and has been awarded since 1921. The prize is named after J.F. Archibald, a journalist and art critic who founded The Bulletin magazine. The Archibald Prize is awarded by the Trustees of the Art Gallery of New South Wales, who also organise the annual Archibald Prize exhibition. The exhibition showcases the best portrait paintings from around Australia, and is a major drawcard for visitors to the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
Some of the most famous winners of the Archibald Prize include:
William Dobell, who won the prize in 1943 for his portrait of Joshua Smith
John Brack, who won the prize in 1965 for his portrait of David Strachan
Brett Whiteley, who won the prize in 1978 for his portrait of Patrick White
Jan Senbergs, who won the prize in 2000 for his portrait of David Wenham
The Archibald Prize is a highly competitive award, and the judging process is often controversial. However, it remains one of the most important art awards in Australia, and continues to attract some of the best portrait paintings from around the country.