Mitch Cairns has taken out the Archibald Prize for his portrait of artist Agatha Gothe-Snape.

Mitch Cairns has won the 2017 Archibald Prize for his portrait of his partner, artist Agatha Gothe-Snape, the Art Gallery of New South Wales Board of Trustees’ David Gonski announced at the Gallery today. Cairns will carry away a cash prize of $100,000 for the poplar portraiture prize, which is awarded to the best painting of a notable Australian.

Gonski said that the decision had come down to two paintings, with Cairns’ portrait eventually carrying the day, while the other – Jun Chen’s portrait of former gallery owner and art dealer Ray Hughes – was Highly Commended.

In his notes about the artwork, Cairns said: “In this painting, Agatha is both an active subject and a recalcitrant muse embracing and resisting simultaneously any idea of what it is to be fixed. Ultimately this is what is most attractive about Agatha. She embodies an uncompromising agency whilst having the grace to accept the ready complications inherent within our life as artists. I composed this portrait with love in the full knowledge of its inevitable and palpable quake.”

^Mitch...