About
Australian painter known especially for his portraits. He won the Archibald Prize, Australia's premier award for portrait artists, a record eight separate times, the most of any Australian artist.
Before Fame
During World War II, he served with the Australian Army in the Middle East, New Guinea, India, and Burma, rising to the rank of Captain. He was digging a trench in Tobruk, Libya, when he was informed that he had won the Archibald Prize in 1942.
Trivia
He was an official Australian war artist during World War II. He also painted multiple portraits of Elizabeth II, the Queen of Australia, plus the official portraits of two Prime Ministers of Australia and two Governors-General of Australia. He painted two portraits of Queen Elizabeth, both done after meeting with the queen in Buckingham Palace. The second, a replica of the first, was painted as "insurance" in case the first was lost in transit to Australia.
Family Life
He was born William Alexander Dargie in Footscray, Victoria, the first son of Andrew Dargie and Adelaide (née Sargent). His younger brother Horrie Dargie was a noted Australian musician and harmonicist.
Associated With
Other notable people he painted included Margaret Court, Essington Lewis, and Albert Namatjira.
