Painted in 1961 during his time in Europe, 'Dancer and Gentleman (Showgirl Series)' belongs to a formative period in the career of Pat Hanly. After studying at the University of Canterbury School of Fine Arts, Hanly travelled to London in 1957 and later to Italy on an Italian Government scholarship. While in London he worked as a stage manager at the Gargoyle Club, an experience that informed the Showgirl series and introduced themes of performance, intimacy and observation that would remain central to his practice. Influenced by contemporary European painting and the expressive possibilities of the figure, Hanly began to loosen his forms, working with layered glazes and heightened colour to create atmosphere rather than detailed description.