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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.

Robert Johnson (1893—1940)

by Percy Leason

Robert Johnson (1893—1940)

oil on canvas
76.5 x 61.2; in original frame
inscribed in black paint on reverse of canvas u.r.: ROBERT / JOHNSON
No. 24 in 1934 exhibition
Gift of Mrs Cathy Culbard, 1990
La Trobe Picture Collection, State Library of Victoria

Robert Johnson was apparently a small man, although both his portrait and the photograph by Dr Donald Thomson give little indication of this, showing an admittedly slight but fit-looking man. However, when photographed by Norman Tindale in 1938—39, Robert looked ill and was probably already suffering from the tuberculosis that caused his death in 1940.

Although Percy Leason noted that Johnson was not a very good sitter, the portrait gives little indication of this. It is carefully and sensitively painted, giving Johnson considerable dignity through his serious expression, tilted chin and upright posture.

Recognition
(More information, View all 9 images)

Mrs Clara Hunt (1872—1948)
Clive Hood (1908—1991)
Robert Kinnear (1851—1935)
Sydney McRae (1914—1966)

Related information

William Johnson (1873—1948) by Percy Leason
William Johnson (1873—1948) by Percy Leason
William Johnson (1873—1948) by Percy Leason
William Johnson (1873—1948) by Percy Leason

Recognition

Percy Leason's Aboriginal Portraits

Previous exhibition, 1999

Originally conceived as an anthropological record, Percy Leason’s powerful 1934 portraits of Victorian Aboriginal people are today considered to be a highlight of 20th century Australian portraiture
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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.

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