Unveiling highlights recently completed portrait commissions and figurative works by some of the Portrait Society of America’s most accomplished and active members. In this month’s feature, Kimberly Azzarito, director of programs for the Portrait Society of America, speaks with Australian portrait artist Paul Newton about his latest portrait of renowned businessman, philanthropist, and art collector Pat Corrigan, Member of the Order of Australia (AM).

Unveiling

A Portrait Across 20 Years

By Kimberly Azzarito

For Australian portrait artist Paul Newton, painting Pat Corrigan AM again after two decades was more than revisiting a familiar subject; it became an opportunity to reflect on time, character and the enduring qualities of a remarkable life.

Well-known throughout Australia’s arts community, Corrigan is a 94-year-old businessman, philanthropist and passionate art collector whose decades of support have made him one of the country’s most respected cultural figures. This is the fourth time Newton has painted him. The previous portrait, completed 20 years ago, was a finalist in Australia’s prestigious Archibald Prize and now resides in the permanent collection of the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra.

Paul Newton, Portrait of Dr. Patrick Corrigan AM, oil on canvas, 55¼ x 50¼ in.

“I thought it would be interesting to paint Pat again and document the changes that have occurred over that 20-year span,” Newton says. Despite Corrigan’s age, Newton found himself inspired less by the passage of time than by his sitter’s remarkable vitality. “He still exudes energy,” the artist explains. “I wanted the portrait to communicate his strength of character and determination, but also his warmth and humanity.”

To reinforce Corrigan’s larger-than-life presence, Newton painted him at nearly twice life-size. Yet the composition itself remains intentionally restrained. A simple background and muted palette eliminate distractions, allowing the viewer’s attention to rest entirely on the sitter. The only vibrant notes are the warm flesh tones of Corrigan’s face and hands, creating a quiet but powerful focal point.

The portrait evolved through a combination of live sittings and photographic reference. Newton spent hours with Corrigan, enjoying conversations over tea and biscuits while capturing photographs under varying lighting conditions, from daylight to artificial illumination. Those sessions also helped Newton explore different wardrobe choices. He ultimately selected a plain white shirt, finding that its simplicity supported the painting’s restrained, nearly monochromatic color harmony.

Unlike earlier portraits in which Corrigan stood, Newton chose to depict him seated almost from the outset. “It simply felt right,” he says. “I was searching for a particular expression that captured everything I wanted to say about him.” Achieving that expression required subtle adjustments to lighting and viewpoint until the artist found what he describes as the “sweet spot”—the moment when character, emotion and presence aligned.

For Newton, portraiture extends well beyond physical likeness. “I hope people experience Pat the way I experienced him,” he says. “I want them to see his wisdom, dignity, strength and also the inevitable physical frailty that comes with being 94.”

Looking back over his career, Newton has also witnessed renewed appreciation for classical portrait painting. He believes traditional methods are enjoying a resurgence, particularly through the growing number of ateliers and classical art schools. “I think these techniques are valued today even more than when I began my career,” he says.

Whether documenting a public figure or a private individual, Newton’s goal remains unchanged: to create portraits that reveal not only how a person looks, but who they are. His latest painting of Corrigan is both a celebration of an extraordinary life and a thoughtful reflection on the grace, resilience and humanity that endure through time. —