Heath Ledger portrait wins Australian art prize

[Honey]

Photo by: INCO / Fame PicturesA portrait of the late Heath Ledger won the people's choice award at Australia's Archibald Prize Exhibition on Thursday.

More than 32,000 people voted in the competition – considered one of Australia's most prominent art prizes. The painting, called "Heath," was created by Ledger's friend, Vincent Fantauzzo, shortly before the actor's death.

According to a spokesperson for the Art Gallery of NSW (where the prize was awarded), the Ledger family and the artist will donate the prize-winning piece – which features three images of Ledger – to the gallery.

Fantauzzo received a $2,500 and $1,000 gift certificate with his award.

The portrait was painted at Ledger's Perth family home in December.


Heath Ledger Portrait Wins Australian Art Prize - Heath Ledger : People.com

[SpookyGirl]

What a beautiful portrait. You can see a lot of love went into that.

[sherbear905]

It is gorgeous work, looks like a photograph.

[Grimmlok]

had nothing to do with him dying, of course.

[Folieadeux]

Heath looks so depressed and tormented in that photo. What makes it sadder is that he actually sat for it...

[Sasha]

His mouth was so beautiful...

[cheray]

He doesnt look good at all. There is nothing beautiful about it. He looks tortured. No wonder he wanted sleeping tablets. He looks like he hasnt slept in a week. He probably hadnt. Poor poor guy. Lost ....gone.....

[aabbcc]

had nothing to do with him dying, of course.

I was just going to say ... timing is everything.

[tkdgirl]

He doesnt look good at all. There is nothing beautiful about it. He looks tortured. No wonder he wanted sleeping tablets. He looks like he hasnt slept in a week. He probably hadnt. Poor poor guy. Lost ....gone.....

Agreed. Looked like a tortured soul.

[Sibyl]

He doesnt look good at all. There is nothing beautiful about it. He looks tortured. No wonder he wanted sleeping tablets. He looks like he hasnt slept in a week. He probably hadnt. Poor poor guy. Lost ....gone.....

Agreed. He looks like hell.
And I hate that everyone is cashing on his death.

[DitaPage*]

I love that portrait, stunning.

[witchcurlgirl]

sympathy vote

[Sweetie]

had nothing to do with him dying, of course.

My thoughts exactly. Had he not died this painting would mean nothing.

[sputnik]

i loved heath ledger but i don't like that painting. i just don't like the style of it. though i like the idea of the two heaths whispering in his ear.

eta: the painter's cute.

[Lily]

had nothing to do with him dying, of course.

Yeah. Would this have won if it were Roy Scheider?


edited to say: I love Heath and was sad about his death. I was just thinkin' is all.