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Biography: Lilburn, Douglas Gordon

Portrait of Lilburn

Portrait of Lilburn

Rita Cook (better known as Rita Angus) painted this portrait of Douglas Lilburn in 1945, and it became one of her favourite works. After their love affair, Angus remained a key figure in Lilburn’s life.

Courtesy of the Rita Angus Estate

Using this item

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Reference: MA_I064451

Watercolour by Rita Angus

Permission of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

How to cite this page

Philip Norman. 'Lilburn, Douglas Gordon', Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, first published in 2010. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/27868/portrait-of-lilburn (accessed 24 June 2026).