Florence Aline Rodway JF Archibald

A journalist and founder of the Bulletin magazine, Jules François Archibald (1856-1919) established the Archibald Prize with a bequest in his will.

Archibald was a trustee of the Art Gallery of NSW from 1915, and in 1919 the Gallery commissioned Florence Rodway to paint a portrait in oil of the ailing man. Despite the death of her subject that year, Rodway completed the work using direct sketches made during sittings.

The work, which is now in the Art Gallery of NSW’s collection, was one of three portraits Rodway submitted in the inaugural Archibald competition.

Born in 1881, Rodway initially studied art at Hobart Technical School. In 1902, she was awarded a Royal Academy scholarship and studied for four years in London under visiting masters, including John Singer Sargent, before settling in Sydney and furthering her training with Julian Ashton. She was celebrated for her work in pastels and her portraits were highly sought after.