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An interview with Professor Frank Fenner who describes his life and the creation of his portrait. The National Portrait Gallery would like to thank Professor Frank Fenner for his kind assistance with this project.
This video was produced with funds donated by Tim Fairfax AC.
Professor Frank Fenner: I think it’s a very good portrait of me. I think she’s got my personality as well as a physical resemblance. Painting a portrait involves a lot more than just taking a photograph. We talked at length. We always had a cup of coffee first and talked, and she was obviously trying to get my personality. I can’t describe my personality. That’s for other people to do, really.
She liked these chairs, and so she got an image of that.
Well, I’ve always worn a white shirt. I’ve got other ones. I’ve got two red shirts. If you look at that thing up there, that combination, that was my 90th birthday. Every representation of me there I think I’ve got a white shirt on. I’d be a bit cold without a sweater on, and my wife knitted it. People in those days, woman I think, they were just compulsive knitters. They’d sit down to talk and they’d be knitting with each other.
I haven’t seen it since its been mounted in the frame, but I’ll … of course I’ll look forward to it when the new portrait gallery opens. After I die, they’ll say, “Oh, that’s Frank Fenner. I’ve heard of him before. I think he was involved in something – what was it? Myxomatosis. And eradicating smallpox. That … they might think that.”
Bringing eminent scientist Frank Fenner and artist Jude Rae together for the National Portrait Gallery commission was like matchmaking.
Justin Paton explores the latest exhibition of Jude Rae's portrait paintings.
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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
