- Arthur Murch

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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

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