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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.

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A man and his music: Peter Weiss and the Australian Chamber Orchestra

1995
Kerrie Lester

oil and hand-stitching on canvas (frame: 200.0 cm x 276.5 cm, support: 183.0 cm x 259.0 cm)

Peter Weiss AO (1935–2020), cultural benefactor, was born into a well-to-do family in Vienna, which they fled in the late 1930s. In Sydney, his parents encouraged his love of music. He learned the cello, graduating from the Conservatorium of Music, and then moved to London. On return to Australia he launched his eponymous fashion line in 1975. His contribution to arts philanthropy was significant, supporting the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Opera House and the Art Gallery of New South Wales, among many other organisations. His gift of one million dollars established the Instrument Fund of the Australian Chamber Orchestra; in 2016, he bought a 1729 Guarneri cello for the company. After being diagnosed with lung cancer in 2018, he donated four million dollars to the Westmead Institute for Medical Research.

Kerrie Lester's portrait shows a pensive Weiss with rehearsing members of the Australian Chamber Orchestra, including violinist Richard Tognetti in the black cap. Lester later recalled the sitting for the portrait: 'I went out to Kings Cross where they were rehearsing. Peter was lying on the stairs watching and listening to them. It was a massive portrait of thirteen people and a lot of work to do the stitching.'

Gift of Peter Weiss AO 2018. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.
© Kerrie Lester/Copyright Agency, 2024

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.

Artist and subject

Kerrie Lester (age 42 in 1995)

Peter Weiss AO (age 60 in 1995)

Donated by

Peter Weiss AO (1 portrait)

© National Portrait Gallery 2024
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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.

The National Portrait Gallery is an Australian Government Agency