The Trooper (from the Ned Kelly series)
Painting on board/hardboard • Sidney Nolan (1917-1992)
Style & Movement
Australian Modernism / Primitivism. Nolan's Kelly series is a foundational moment in Australian art, blending narrative folk history with modernist abstraction.
Medium & Technique
Oil and enamel on composition board, utilizing rapid, fluid brushwork and high-gloss enamel paints typical of the artist.
Creation Period
Circa 1946-1947
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 90 x 120 cm; Landscape format.
Subject Description
The painting depicts a colonial policeman (trooper) on horseback, likely portraying Trooper Fitzpatrick or a generic representation of the Victoria Police from the Kelly Outbreak era. The figure is rendered with a stylised, almost cartoonish face and stiff blue uniform, set against a desolate Australian landscape under a vivid sunset sky. The composition emphasizes the isolation and starkness of the outback.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good. The paint surface shows some mild age-related cracking and surface abrasions consistent with enamel on board.
Estimated Market Value
$400,000 - $700,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$350,000 - $600,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely sourced from a private Australian collection or a major gallery (such as the National Gallery of Australia or Heide Museum of Modern Art collections). Extensive history of exhibition in Australian Modernist retrospectives.
Art Historical Significance
This piece belongs to Nolan's iconic 'Ned Kelly' series, which redefined the Australian visual identity. It explores themes of authority versus the rebel, the harshness of the Australian bush, and the creation of a national mythos. It is considered a pinnacle of 20th-century Australian art.
Notable Features
The distinctive use of Ripolin enamel creates a high-gloss, 'flat' folk-art quality. The contrast between the rigid, uniformed figure and the expressive, painterly landscape is a hallmark of Nolan's style.
Condition Issues
Minor surface scuffing, potential slight yellowing of the varnish layer, and typical edge wear common to composition boards of this era.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain in a climate-controlled environment with stable humidity to prevent warping of the board. UV-filtering glass and low lighting are recommended to prevent pigment fading.