David Boyd (1924-2011)

'[The Trial] series was one of his most prolific; literally hundreds of paintings and drawings contributed to the trial from 1961 to 1964 and testified to the industry, dedication and talent of the artist. Although many of the pictures were severe, in the later part of the series whimsical touches occurred and it became evident that the judges were only too human, getting themselves into awkward predicaments, such as hanging from trees with their boots off, drifting away in a boat, or meeting menacing bird-like creatures dressed in legal gowns; they could be comforted by a nosegay (even when wearing the death cap) or a clown. These paintings were imaginative, fantastic and sometimes more colourful than the early Trial, not so menacing but still full of the original concept of law contrasted with justice.' (N. Benko, The Art of David Boyd, Adelaide, 1973, pp.45-46)