signed lower left: N
'Nolan has been caught up in this subject for many years, and has painted it in many styles, but the theme here, in these later works (which I find among his best), remains the same: the portrayal of the defiant, avenging outlaw, who is haunted by his destiny but who is still determined to go on with his private vendetta against the world until the bitter end. And all around him is the mute permanence of the Australian bush which, in itself, seems to express, if not a protest, then at least a sense of indifference to the agitations and pretensions of civilised man. (Alan Moorehead introduction to the May 1965 exhibition at Marlborough gallery p. 6)
Julian Sterling, Melbourne
acquired by present owner from the above, c. 1960s
Modern and Contemporary Australian Art, Christie's, London, 12 December 2007, lot 56
private collection, Melbourne
Sidney Nolan, Recent Work, Marlborough Fine Art, London, May 1965, cat. no. 7
Dix ans d'art vivant 1955 - 1965, The Montreal Museum of Fine Art, Montreal