Sir William Dargie, (1912-2003) Australian painter, known especially for his portrait paintings. He holds the record for most Archibald Prize wins; eight. He was an official Australian war artist during the Second World War. The Archibald Prize is regarded as the most important portraiture prize, and is the most prominent of all arts prizes, in Australia. ... War artists capture the experience of war in an artistic manner whilst based in the battlefield. ... Mushroom cloud from the nuclear explosion over Nagasaki rising 18 km into the air. ...

When he was young he met important Australian artists such as Arthur Streeton and Tom Roberts. Sir Arthur Ernest Streeton (8 April 1867–1 September 1943) was an Australian artist and a member of the famous Heidelberg School of Australian artists, best known for his rural landscapes. ... Thomas William Roberts (8 March 1856 - 14 September 1931), usually known simply as Tom, was a famous Australian artist and a key member of the Heidelberg School. ...

He was digging a trench in Tobruk, while serving with the Australian army when informed that he had won the Archibald Prize in 1942. He served during the war in the Middle East, New Guinea, India and Burma. Tobruk is a sea-port in eastern Libya in Northern Africa. ... Army (from French armée) can, in some countries, refer to any armed force (for example, the Peoples Liberation Army of China consists of ground force, navy and air force branches). ...

He painted two official portraits of Australian Prime Ministers; Arthur Fadden and John McEwen. He painted portraits of other famous Australians such as Margaret Court and Charles Kingsford Smith. In December 1954 he painted Australia's official painting of Queen Elizabeth, who posed for him at Buckhingham Palace. He painted the Duke of Edinburgh in 1956. A prime minister may be either: the chief or leading member of the cabinet of the top-level government in a country having a parliamentary system of government; or the official, in countries with a semi-presidential system of government, appointed to manage the civil service and execute the directives... Rt Hon Arthur Fadden Sir Arthur William Fadden (April 13, 1894 – April 21, 1973), Australian politician and 13th Prime Minister of Australia, born at Ingham, Queensland, the son of a Presbyterian police officer. ... Margaret Smith Court (pre-marital name: Margaret Jean Smith) (born July 16, 1942) is a retired Australian professional tennis player. ... Sir Charles Edward Kingsford Smith (February 9, 1897 - November, 1935), often called Charles Kingsford-Smith, or by his nickname Smithy, was the best-known early Australian aviator. ... This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...

He received an Order of the British Empire in 1959, and was made a Commander of the British Empire in 1969. He also held positions on several gallery boards, serving on the Commonwealth Art Advisory Board for twenty years. Between 1946 and 1953 he was head of the Victorian Art School at the National Gallery. Commanders Badge of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions, in decreasing order of seniority: Knight or Dame Grand... Commanders Badge of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions, in order of seniority: Knight or Dame Grand Cross...

While he is most known for his portraits, he has also done a number of other works, such as smaller interior views and still lifes.

Archibald Prize Winners

Dargie won the Archibald Prize with the following works:

• 1941 - Sir James Elder, K.B.E.
• 1942 - Corporal Jim Gordon, V.C.
• 1945 - Lt-General The Hon. Edmund Herring, K.B.C., D.S.O., M.C., E.D.
• 1946 - L. C. Robson, MC, MA
• 1947 - Sir Marcus Clark, K.B.E.
• 1950 - Sir Leslie McConnan
• 1952 - Mr Essington Lewis, C.H.
• 1956 - Mr Albert Namatjira

portrait.gov.au Albert Namatjira (28 July 1902 – 1959), born Elea Namatjira is an Australian Aborigine artist of the Arrernte (Aranda) tribe. ...

Artists Footsteps