Art historian puts together unique exhibition

HAMILTON Gallery is proud to present Seeking Victor, a major new exhibition now on display with an official launch event to be held on Friday, September 19, at 6pm in the gallery and will run until November 19.

Curated in collaboration with art historian Dr Elizabeth Arthur, renowned for unveiling the secret life and works of Robert Martiensen, Seeking Victor traces the extraordinary true story of Victor Caulfield, a local figure who in his eighties became an artists’ model after relocating to Florence, Italy.

This bold move found him living in a historic palazzo once home to poets Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning, where he immersed himself in the city’s sparkling art scene.

Over the course of a decade, Victor posed for thousands of artists across two major Florentine art academies.

He became a muse, a character, a canvas, and a collaborator, carefully crafting his own image, selecting costumes and deciding on poses.

In his extraordinary search for meaning through portraiture, Victor took on the roles of a saint, a Pope, a horseman, and a gentleman in crisp white linen, among others. Artists captured his presence in oil, charcoal, and bronze, with Victor collecting many of the final artworks.

Upon his return to Australia, Victor brought with him not just the art, but the many layered identities he had helped bring to life. This intriguing exhibition features nearly one hundred of these portraits, busts, and sculptures from Victor’s private collection.

Hamilton Gallery director Joshua White said this exhibition was remarkable in that it brings together an unprecedented number of works focused on a single person.

“Visitors will be able to see nearly one hundred interpretations of Victor each by a different artist, offering a rare insight into the art of portraiture,” Mr White said.

“In Seeking Victor, we encounter one man, yet visitors are invited to reflect more deeply on the many masks we wear, the stories we tell, and the quiet power of being truly seen.”

Hamilton Gallery curator Dr Samantha Happé said Seeking Victor was setting a new benchmark in the way that we understand ourselves.

“It is an exploration of the human need to shape, hide, and reveal who we are,” Dr Happé said. “Each work offers a unique study of Victor, revealing a complex mosaic of shifting identities.”

As part of the exhibition program, Hamilton Gallery is proud to present the following events:

HG WORKSHOP: Seeking Victor Life Drawing Class

A guided life drawing session with Victor Caulfield in costume as the artist’s model. Set in a relaxed and welcoming environment, this class is ideal for both beginners and experienced artists looking to refine their skills. Includes basic materials and light refreshments.

Friday, October 10 – 6-8 pm

Hamilton Gallery

$40 pp – Tickets at reception or via Eventbrite

HG TALK: Victor in Conversation

Join Dr Elizabeth Arthur with Victor Caulfield at Hamilton Gallery for a captivating talk facilitated by Curator, Dr. Samantha Happé. Surrounded by his portraits, gain rare insights into his fascinating life and artistic legacy.

Saturday, September 20 – 11am – 12 pm

Hamilton Gallery

$15 pp – Tickets at reception or via Eventbrite