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Arthur Murch entered many portraits in the Archibald Prize. His first entry was in 1928; his last in 1969. At his fifteenth try, in 1949, he won the prize with his portrait of Bonar Dunlop.

Bonar Dunlop oil on masonite 104 x 73 cm Winner of the Archibald Prize 1949

Bonar Dunlop was a sculptor who had attended Murch’s sculpture classes at East Sydney Technical College. View the Cinesound Newsreel of the 1949 Archibald Prize.

Other portraits that Murch entered into the Archibald:

1928: Senior Chaplain James Green C.M.G., V.D.

1930: John D. Moore Esq.

1931: E. A. Harvey Esq.

1934: Professor Whitridge Davies

Professor H Whitridge Davies 1934 oil on canvas board 129.0 x 98.0 cm. The University of Sydney art collection, donated by Ria Murch 2001. Entry in 1934 Archibald Prize

1935: 3 entries – Miss Suzanne Crookston, Cav. A. Dattilo Rubbo, Miss Lelia Suleau

1940: Richard Windeyer , Esq. K.C

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Identified in 2020, this 1940 oil painting of Richard Windeyer K.C., coarse weave cotton, is 96 cms H x 76 cms W. Arthur Murch was a friend of Windeyer and would go yachting with him. Murch estate.

1941: 3 entries – Mr Frank Lumb, Mrs. A. Murch, James Cook

Ria Murch 1941 oil on canvas 100 x 67 cm Murch estate

1942: Rev. Canon A. H. Garnsey

Rev. Canon A. H. Garnsey, 1942 oil on canvas St Paul’s College, The University of Sydney

1943: Kenneth Wilkinson

Kenneth Wilkinson 1943 Oil on canvas 93 x 66 cm. Kenneth Wilkinson was a journalist and and critic for Art in Australia and the Sydney Morning Herald.  Murch Estate

1944: 2 entries – Stephen Stack, Self Portrait

Study for portrait of Stephen Stack 1944

Self portrait Arthur Murch oil on masonite 86 x 68 cm Murch estate

1946: Sir Robert Dickie Watt

Sir Robert Dickie Watt 1946 oil on canvas 95.0 x 70.0 cm, The University of Sydney Art Collection. Entry in 1946 Archibald Prize

1949: 2 entries – Bonar Dunlop,  Self Portrait

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Bonar Dunlop, close up. Winner Archibald Prize 1949

1950: George Wallace

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George Wallace oil on board 100.5 x 81cms Rockhampton Art Gallery

Study for portrait of George Wallace 1950 oil on card on board 40 x 31.5

Study for portrait of George Wallace 1950 oil on canvas 64 x 53 cm Murch estate

1951: G. K. Townshend

G K Townshend 1951

1952: 2 entries – Dr. P. C. Charlton, Mrs C. E. Martin

Study for portrait of Dr P C Charlton 1952 oil on board 60 x 47 cm

Dr P C Charlton 1952 oil on canvas Pymble Golf Club

1953: Douglas Stewart

Douglas Stewart oil on canvas State Library of New South Wales

1954: John Santry – See Manly Art Gallery and Museum Collection

1955: 2 entries – Mr Neville Fortescue, Mrs A. Brentnall

Study for portrait of Neville Fortescue

Neville Fortescue

1958: Mr T. E. L McGuire

Mr T E L Maguire

1959: Self portrait

Self portrait Arthur Murch 1959 105 x 74 cm Murch estate

1963: Professor Sir Mark Oliphant KBE FRS

Study for Sir Mark Oliphant portrait 1963 oil on board Murch estate

Study for Sir Mark Oliphant portrait 1963 oil on board Murch estate

1964: Rubina Namatjira

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Rubina Namatjira 1964 oil on board oil on board, 91 x 61 cm Collection: Manly Art Gallery & Museum

1965: David Schlunke

1966: Alan Ingham

Study for Alan Ingham portrait 1966 oil on board

1969: Alexander Cann