Archbishops have been a subject of religious art, since the term was first used in the western church in the 7th century. Before this they were known as “metropolitans,” to denote a hierarchical rank above ordinary bishops, but below the primate.
A couple of the better-known portraits, include Titian’s Archbishop Filippo Archinto of Milan, painted in the 1550s, and Velazquez’ masterful painting of Archbishop Fernando de Valdes of Granada, from the 1640s.
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of our own Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP, we decided to feature this portrait, painted by classical-realist Sydney-based artist Sally Ryan in 2020, just before everything shut down through COVID.
Sally’s artworks have been recognised in numerous competitions across Australia such as the Archibald, Doug Moran, Portia Geach and Lester Prizes.
This work was commissioned by the Sydney Archdiocese and hangs in Cathedral House.
It portrays the archbishop in the plain, white, habit of his Dominican Order.
“He wanted to express his role as a simple preacher and a man of the people,” Sally told The Catholic Weekly. “The light on his face captures his warmth and approachability. You are immediately drawn to him.”
This simplicity was juxtaposed by the gold lectern at which he stands, and the rich colours of the stained-glass window in the background, therefore elevating him to his rightful place as Archbishop of Sydney.
The success of the painting is driven by the tension between the simple Dominican before us, and the flourishes of his official role.