The Trial (from the Ned Kelly series)
Painting on support • Sidney Nolan
Style & Movement
Australian Modernism / Figurative Expressionism
Medium & Technique
Enamel paint on composition board (Masonite)
Creation Period
1946-1947
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 90 x 120 cm; Landscape format
Subject Description
The painting depicts the historic trial of the bushranger Ned Kelly. The composition is dominated by the iconic stylized black rectangular silhouette of Kelly’s armor. To the left is the judge, Sir Redmond Barry, in formal judicial wig and robes. The background contains a jury, audience members, and numerous blue-uniformed colonial police officers against a red-and-white checkered floor and tall windows.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good - The enamel shows characteristic mid-century sheen with some minor age-related craquelure typical for Masonite supports.
Estimated Market Value
$3,000,000 - $5,000,000 USD (Theoretical valuation as the work is in a permanent public collection)
Auction Estimate
$2,500,000 - $4,500,000 USD
Provenance History
Gifted by Sunday Reed to the National Gallery of Australia (NGA) in 1977 as part of the original Ned Kelly series donation.
Art Historical Significance
A cornerstone of 20th-century Australian art; this series redefined national identity through the mythologization of the outlaw Ned Kelly. It is celebrated for its blend of folk art simplicity, surrealist atmosphere, and bold modernist forms.
Notable Features
The use of Ripolin commercial enamel paint gives the work a distinct industrial gloss. The 'slot' in Kelly's mask serves as a window through which the landscape or interiors are seen, dehumanizing the figure into an abstract symbol.
Condition Issues
Stable surface; light surface dirt and isolated instances of micro-cracking in the thicker enamel layers; some edge wear from historic framing.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain strictly controlled UV lighting and stable relative humidity (45-55%) to prevent warping of the board; use archival museum glazing for display.