Ms Flanagan, who joined the Gallery in 1992, will assume the responsibilities of director until a search for a permanent successor to Mr Capon is finalised.

The President of the Board of Trustees of the Gallery, Mr Steven Lowy AM, said the Trustees and State Government had embarked on a thorough and exhaustive global search to recruit the new director and would allow whatever time necessary to complete that process.

“It is common for such key appointments to take some time and we believe it is important that the Gallery continues to be led by an experienced and capable executive in the meantime,” he said.

“Edmund built up a team of committed and highly professional staff during his tenure and under Anne’s leadership the Gallery will be in safe and effective hands until a permanent appointment is made.”

Mr Lowy said the appointment of a new director was a critical one for the Gallery for it is one of Australia’s most important cultural institutions and that the Trustees had placed no deadline on making the new appointment.