We acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the Country on which the Art Gallery of NSW stands.

Mary Edwell-Burke Sir Hudson Fysh, KBE, DFC

75 x 60 cm

Image courtesy the sitter's estate

The subject of this portrait by Mary Edwell-Burke is aviation pioneer Wilmot Hudson Fysh (1895–1974). One of the founders of Qantas in 1920, Fysh led the airline for many years, including as chairman – a position he held until retiring in 1966. An earlier portrait of him by William Dobell was exhibited in the 1950 Archibald Prize.