The image of one of the Blue Mountains most famous former residents has received a well deserved makeover.
After decades adorning the halls of the NSW parliament, Julian Ashton's iconic painting of the father of federation, Sir Henry Parkes, has been the subject of a major conservation project.
The parliament's collections registrar, Wes Stowe, said that the restoration work had been undertaken by conservator Kristel Smits of K.S. Art Restorations at Katoomba and that the century-old painting's frame had also been repaired and re-gilded as part of the process.
Mr Stowe, a part-time Leura resident, noted that Parkes' association with the Blue Mountains had started in 1867 with the acquisition of 256 hectares at Faulconbridge which subsequently become the site of his last resting place.
"While it is perhaps appropriate that the man who became premier of NSW on five separate occasions has five individual portraits hanging in the parliament, we can now be sure that one of the most significant is back in top condition," Mr Stowe said.
He also noted that the portrait can't be viewed by the public as the parliament is currently closed due to the coronavirus.