Sir Edmund on canvas fee $20,000

By STUART DYE

A controversial portrait of Sir Edmund Hillary cost $20,000, the Herald can reveal.

The picture, unveiled last week to mark the 50th anniversary of Sir Edmund's ascent of Everest, has been criticised for its depiction of the New Zealand icon.

The warts-and-all portrait, now on display at the Auckland Museum, has divided opinion and left many questioning the cost and quality of the painting.

Others have complained that an Australian artist was chosen rather than a New Zealand painter.

Yesterday the men behind commissioning the portrait defended their choices.

The money came from "existing council resources" a city council spokesman said, and he reiterated Mayor John Banks' statement that the picture was a "gift to the people of Auckland".

He added: "This is thought to be a good way of celebrating the occasion."

The portrait was the brainchild of Auckland Museum director Dr Rodney Wilson, who wanted a partner to the famous Edward Halliday portrait of Hillary painted in 1955.

Lewis Miller, 44, is well known for his figurative and portrait work, receiving commissions both in Australia and internationally.

A nine-times finalist in Australia's prestigious Archibald Prize, Miller won it in 1998 for his portrait of fellow artist Allan Mitelman.

He has works in the collections of the National Gallery of Australia, National Gallery of Victoria and the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Dr Wilson defended Miller's selection, saying: "Halliday was English so why should we be parochial about this?

"Miller is a fine portrait artist and he has an enormous reputation as someone with considerable experience in people of Sir Edmund's stature.

"People have commented that the picture is too large for the frame. When you meet Sir Edmund you are deeply impressed by his larger-than-life presence.

"Lewis Miller has captured that superbly. Portraiture is about the persona and this picture is also an astonishing likeness."

Art critic Hamish Keith believes people are expecting too much, but admits he was disappointed by the choice of artist.

"It's not a bad work," he said. "It's a shame people complain that it's a picture of a rugged old man, when Sir Edmund is a rugged old man.

"My only criticism is that they could not find a New Zealand artist to paint it.

"There is not a strong tradition of portrait painting in New Zealand, but there are some fine painters around. Why could they not think of one?"

Herald Feature: Climbing Everest - The 50th Anniversary\