W B McInnes Portrait

WB McInnes won the 1936 Archibald Prize with a portrait of Dr Julian Smith. Although no details are recorded of this second work by McInnes in the 1936 competition, it is likely to be a portrait of Salma Dale (1882-1963).

Melbourne’s Argus newspaper on 29 October 1936 reports: 'The delightful tea party given yesterday afternoon by Mrs Hylton Dale at the Quamby Club was arranged to enable many of her friends to see the portrait painted of her by Mr WB McInnes which is to be entered for the Archibald Prize competition. The picture was placed at one end of the picturesque drawing room so it caught the light from the north windows, while the easel stand was draped with deep wine-red velvet… About 200 friends were invited to view the portrait including the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress…’

Salma Dale’s daughter Ydonea was an art student at the National Gallery of Victoria School, where McInnes taught.