College portraits, surgeons and the Archibald Prize

The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons is fortunate to have a wonderful collection of portraits, which date from William Cheselden's portrait in the mid 18th century to the latest of immediate past president, Kingsley Faulkner. Many of the portraits are of former College presidents. The presidents have often been painted by the leading artist of the day, many of whom won the Archibald Prize. There are many connections between surgeons and the Archibald Prize, the most prestigious award in Australian art.