D'Arcy Doyle

Born in Ipswich, Queensland, D’Arcy Doyle was a 20th-century Australian painter known for his nostalgic depictions of his home country and renowned for his ability to capture light and movement in his depictions of life and Queensland landscapes

It was his childhood home at 39 Darling Street together with the residents of the street and the surrounding environment (particularly the jacaranda trees) which were later to figure prominently in his paintings.

A self-taught painter of Australian landscapes and historical scenes, he knew at the age of 13 that he wanted to pursue a career in art. And so he would intently study the only artists he could find (sign writers) sometimes for hours, reproducing what he had seen at home.  At the age of 18 and feeling restless he joined the Royal Australian Navy  whilst the Korean War was on, serving seven years, after which he took up full-time painting in 1961.

Doyle had a deep affinity with the Australian bush and his work focused on horses, sheep, drovers, and other farm activities as well as children's games.  Influenced by Norman Rockwell, the well-known American illustrator, he gave the viewer a nostalgic impression of post-war Brisbane and Ipswich as he recalled it.  He also had a love of sport, particularly cricket and many of his paintings had a sporting flavour.

After his death, the D'Arcy Doyle Art Awards were established to perpetuate his memory and to encourage others in creation of quintessentially Australian Art.

Not long before his death a British collector paid $100,000 for his "Man from Snowy River" painting.  Since his death on 28 August 2001, the demand for Doyle's paintings has soared across Australia and around the world.

D'Arcy Doyle's artworks are held in numerous private collections in Australia and overseas and some regional galleries