The winner of the Archibald Prize is Del Kathryn Barton for a self-portrait with her two children, entitled You Are What Is Most Beautiful About Me. She won the 50 thousand dollar first prize, for a self portrait with her five-year-old son Kell and two-year-old daughter Arella.

The runner up was Vincent Fantauzzo’s portrait of Heath Ledger.

The painting was judged as the winning entry among the 700 entrants. The 700 paintings were scaled back to a final top 40.

There has been criticism that the Archibald Prize judging is a fast and the choice by the panel of "experts" is done in such a matter as scrambling eggs.

I suggest that all entrants in the Archibald Prize be open to public viewing on a web site, people cast votes for their top 40 favorites then vote for their choice.

With so many beautiful paintings entered each year, and along with the prize money, the lack of any public input is no less than a travesty.

The Archibald Prize is one of Australia’s oldest and most prestige art awards, beginning in 1921.

I hope the potrait of Heath Ledger goes on to win the people's choice award. Such a lovely painting and the artist is giving it to Heath's parents as a tribute to their son's memory. Lovely gesture.