'Armoured Helmet', Sir Sidney Nolan

Artwork details

Artist

Sir Sidney Nolan (1917‑1992)

Title

Armoured Helmet

Date 1956

MediumOil paint on hardboard

Dimensionssupport: 1219 x 914 mm frame: 1261 x 956 x 55 mm

Collection

Tate

Acquisition Presented by Lord McAlpine of West Green 1983

Reference

T03556

Not on display

Display caption

This work, dated 16 November 1956, is one of a small group of paintings of Ned Kelly (see caption for 'Glenrowan') inspired by the doomed Hungarian uprising earlier that month. On 4 November Soviet tanks invaded Budapest. Savage street-fighting ensued and the uprising was crushed within a fortnight. News reports recorded that, during the conflict, the Hungarians tried to stop the tanks by smashing the periscope mirrors in which could be seen the reflections of the drivers' faces. Moved by such accounts Nolan invested the image of the helmeted Ned Kelly with this additional significance. Of these works a contemporary critic observed: 'History ... topicality of reference ..… (read more)

August 2004