We acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the Country on which the Art Gallery of NSW stands.

Winner: Archibald Prize 1959

William Dobell Dr Edward MacMahon

oil on masonite

87 x 73 cm

Image courtesy Sir William Dobell Art Foundation

This Archibald Prize-winning portrait by William Dobell of surgeon Edward MacMahon (1904–1987) is now in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery, Canberra. Dobell painted the portrait in gratitude to MacMahon, who had performed a successful operation on him.