Trooper
Painting on panel or hardboard • Sidney Nolan
Style & Movement
Australian Modernism; Figurative Expressionism with Naive/Primitivist influences.
Medium & Technique
Enamel or oil paint, likely Ripolin (a commercial enamel), characterized by a fluid, expressive application with visible brushstrokes and high-gloss areas.
Creation Period
Circa 1946-1947
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 91 x 122 cm (36 x 48 inches); Landscape format.
Subject Description
The work features a colonial policeman (Trooper) in a bright blue uniform and distinctive black helmet, mounted on a galloping brown horse. The figure is likely a representation of Constable Alexander Fitzpatrick or another member of the Victorian police involved in the Ned Kelly narrative. The background depicts a simplified Australian landscape with a sunset or dawn sky in shades of pink, yellow, and blue.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good. The work shows surface abrasions, minor scuffing, and localized cracking consistent with the age of the enamel medium and the artist's use of non-traditional supports.
Estimated Market Value
$400,000 - $700,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$350,000 - $600,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely part of the seminal First Ned Kelly series or closely related studies. Original ownership likely traces back to the artist's circle at Heide (John and Sunday Reed) or early Australian collectors of Modernism.
Art Historical Significance
A pivotal piece within Sidney Nolan's oeuvre, specifically from his most celebrated period. The Kelly series redefined Australian national identity and established a unique visual language for the Australian landscape and its folklore.
Notable Features
The flattened perspective and 'toy-like' quality of the trooper contrast sharply with the atmospheric, almost surreal handling of the sky. The iconic helmet shape and the use of hardboard are hallmark characteristics of Nolan's 1940s output.
Condition Issues
Visible surface scratches in the upper left and central right areas. Possible slight yellowing of the binder and edge wear along the support. Historical instability is common in Nolan's early Ripolin works.
Conservation Recommendations
Surface cleaning by a specialist familiar with industrial enamels. Professional consolidation of any lifting paint. UV-protective glazing and climate-controlled environment to prevent further expansion/contraction of the board.