Son’s portrait a prize favourite

A TOUCHING portrait of an artist’s dying mother is the sentimental favourite of this year’s Archibald Prize.

Brisbane- born artist Peter Churcher’s portrait of his late mother Betty ( pictured), also an artist, was yesterday named as a finalist in the 2015 Archibald Prize.

The piece captures his mother, who died in March, in a nightgown in bed and was painted in the last weeks of her life.

It is one of 48 finalists in this year’s prize for portraiture. French- Australian artist Bruno Jean Grasswill’s portrait of actor Michael Caton won the packing room prize, selected by Art Gallery New South Wales staff who install the exhibition.