Historical information

Dr Peter Mervyn Elliott (1927-2014) was the President of the Royal Australian College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology from 1983-1986. He was gynaecologist and obstetrician at King George V Hospital from 1961 to 1979. He was a lecturer in Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Sydney from 1964-1992 and was Head of the Department of Gynaecological Oncology at King George V Hospital at the time of his retirement from the Hospital in 1992. During his long clinical association with the University of Sydney and King George V Hospital, he brought great distinction to the institutions in respect of the clinical care of women with gynaecology cancers. He was a pioneer in the development and promotion of clinical trials in gynaecological cancer, and with his links in Asia he was able to create training and clinical trials opportunities for many gynaecologists and gynaecological oncologists from the region. Ellott was also a significant art collector and patron, amassing a sizeable private art collection. (University of Sydney, National Portrait Gallery)

Frank Hodgkinson AM (1919-2001) was a noted Australian printmaker, painter and graphic artist. (Wikipedia)

Physical description

Oil on canvas painting. Colour head and shoulders portrait of a man. The subject is wearing a white shirt with a black suit and a dark tie - the tie is printed with a series of small, light-coloured crests. The subject is wearing a dark blue robe with yellow trim on front panels and at edges. The subject is wearing a medal in the shape of a nine-pointed star from a blue ribbon around his neck. The subject has dark coloured eyes, black hair and has his head turned to look at the artist, with his body facing to the left. The subject is holding an African fertility statue in his hands. The subject is depicted sitting in front of a yellow background, with blue and white china plates visible on the wall in top right background and a statue visible on a shelf behind his right shoulder. Signature painted at bottom right corner of portrait reads 'Frank Hodgkinson '88'. Brass plaque attached to back of frame is engraved with the text 'MR P.M. ELLIOTT/PRESIDENT/NOV 1983 - OCT 1986''.