The Favourite – SOLD

I’m pleased to offer this large and colourful horse-racing pastel by Robert Dickerson, “The Favourite”.

Whilst Dickerson is most commonly known for his poignant portraits, his racing themed works that feature horses, jockeys and punters are among his most sought after subjects, and were one of his favourite subjects to paint.

Throughout his life Dickerson retained a strong interest in race horses, and ironically it is horse racing that gave him the financial means to become a full time artist.

Born in 1924, Dickerson grew up in inner-city Sydney, around the then tough working-class Surrey Hills area during the 1930’s Depression era. He left school at fourteen to work in a hinge factory, then at sixteen he turned to boxing to earn a living. Very early in life, Dickerson developed a passion for horse racing and punting, using his boxing winnings to bet at Warwick Farm and Randwick.

In 1957, his growing passion for art was boosted by him winning £100 for an art competition run by the Australian Women’s Weekly to decorate a Kelvinator fridge. Dickerson used his prize money to place a racing bet and with his winnings purchased some quality art supplies which allowed him to move into a full time art career.

Later in his life Dickerson moved from Sydney to Nowra to paint in his Studio and to breed race horses at his own training facility. His passion for race horses was reflected in his appointment as artist-in-residence at Moonee Valley Racing Club during the 2001–2002 season.

Robert Dickerson passed away in 2015, after a successful career as one of Australia’s most prominent and popular artists. His paintings are represented in countless private collections as well as many Australian State and National collections, and the Metropolitan Museum in New York.