First Class Marksman
Painting on support • Sidney Nolan
Style & Movement
Modernism, specifically Australian Surrealism/Expressionism
Medium & Technique
Enamel paint on composition board; characterized by flat, broad applications of industrial-grade paint with a naive, illustrative style.
Creation Period
1946
Dimensions & Format
90.8 x 121.2 cm; Landscape format
Subject Description
A scene from the Ned Kelly series depicting the bushranger Ned Kelly as a black, square-headed silhouette riding a red horse in an expansive Australian outback landscape. To the foreground left is a uniformed police officer (Constable Fitzpatrick). The work explores themes of Australian folklore, national identity, and the conflict between law and outlaw.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent; well-preserved within a museum environment.
Estimated Market Value
$4,000,000 - $6,000,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$3,500,000 - $5,500,000 USD
Provenance History
Purchased by the Vizard Foundation and later acquired/donated to the National Gallery of Australia (NGA); notable for being the only work from the original 1946-47 Ned Kelly series not gifted by Sunday Reed.
Art Historical Significance
A cornerstone of 20th-century Australian art. It is part of the iconic Ned Kelly series which redefined Australian landscape painting and created a lasting visual myth for the nation. It reflects the influence of the Heide Circle.
Notable Features
The distinctive black 'letterbox' helmet of Kelly, the use of Ripolin enamel paint which provides a glossy, non-traditional finish, and the expressive, pink-streaked outback sky.
Condition Issues
Minor surface scuffing characteristic of early enamel paint on board; potential slight yellowing of the clear resin or binders typical of the period.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain strictly controlled UV lighting and a stable climate (approx 20°C, 50% RH). Periodical inspection for stabilization of the composition board substrate.