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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

The Gallery’s Acknowledgement of Country, and information on culturally sensitive and restricted content and the use of historic language in the collection can be found here.

William Ashton

c. 1940s
Max Dupain OBE

gelatin silver photograph on paper (sheet: 30.3 cm x 40.0 cm, image: 30.0 cm x 38.2 cm)
William Ashton

Sir William (Will) Ashton OBE (1881–1963) was the son of James Ashton, who founded Adelaide’s Norwood Art School in 1885 and its Academy of Arts in 1895. Will Ashton studied first under his father, and then in Cornwall and Paris. On his return from Europe he successfully exhibited impressionist style pictures of Parisian street scenes, Dieppe quays and other picturesque landmarks and resorts. Over the course of his career in Australia, London and Paris he achieved consistent success adhering to the same general style and themes. Like Lionel Lindsay, Ashton was a vociferous and influential opponent of the modern art movement in Australia.

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Richard King 2008
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. Works of art from the collection are reproduced as per the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). The use of images of works from the collection may be restricted under the Act. Requests for a reproduction of a work of art can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.
William Ashton

Listen: Will Ashton

In their own words

Recorded 1960
2008.28
Currently not on display
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Artist and subject

Max Dupain OBE (age 29 in 1940)

Sir William Ashton OBE (age 59 in 1940)

Subject professions

Visual arts and crafts

Donated by

Richard King (16 portraits)

Related portraits
(View all 97)

The photographer's shadow (Olive Cotton and Max Dupain)
Max Dupain, Artamon, Sydney
David Moore, Max Dupain and John Gollings
The Reverend Ralph Sutton
1. The photographer's shadow (Olive Cotton and Max Dupain), c. 1935 (printed 1999) Olive Cotton. 2. Max Dupain, Artamon, Sydney, 1979 (printed 2000) David Moore. © Lisa, Michael, Matthew and Joshua Moore
http://davidmoorephotography.com.au/. 3. David Moore, Max Dupain and John Gollings, 1980 (printed 2001) Kate Gollings. © Estate of Kate Gollings. 4. The Reverend Ralph Sutton, 1935 Max Dupain OBE.

Related information

The companion
The companion
The companion
The companion

The Companion

Permanent collection catalogue

Publications

On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves.
Sydney Ure Smith
Sydney Ure Smith
Sydney Ure Smith
Sydney Ure Smith

Dupain detective

Magazine article by Johanna McMahon, 2019

Johanna McMahon revels in history and mystery in pursuit of a suite of unknown portrait subjects.
Hélène Kirsova in Petrouchka
Hélène Kirsova in Petrouchka
Hélène Kirsova in Petrouchka
Hélène Kirsova in Petrouchka

Vintage Max

Magazine article by Gael Newton, 2003

Gael Newton delves into the life and art of renowned Australian photographer, Max Dupain.
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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

This website comprises and contains copyrighted materials and works. Copyright in all materials and/or works comprising or contained within this website remains with the National Portrait Gallery and other copyright owners as specified.

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. The use of images of works of art reproduced on this website and all other content may be restricted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Requests for a reproduction of a work of art or other content can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

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