Policeman

In contrast to Nolan's depictions of Ned Kelly, who appears to belong in the Australian landscape, in this painting the policeman, in his blue coat and black helmet, stands out against it. It is noteworthy that Nolan's grandfather was one of the policemen who pursued the Kelly gang, a fact Albert Tucker, a fellow artist and friend, often teased him about. It has been suggested that this work was a study for a later painting Nolan created entitled The evening (1946-1947).