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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

About Face

Portrait treats and treatises

From punchy short pieces to longer form leanings, it's the place to come for a frequent fix of the world's most accessible art form.

Inditchenous beestes of New Olland

by Angus Trumble, 1 June 2016

A remarkable undated drawing by Edward Lear (1812–88) blends natural history and whimsy.
Ellen Stirling
Ellen Stirling
Ellen Stirling

Very fine and very like

by Angus Trumble, 1 May 2016

When did notions of very fine and very like become separate qualities of a portrait? And what happens to 'very like' in the age of photographic portraiture?

Museum Dance-off 2016!

Can't get Hugh out of my head...

27 April 2016

Each year staff from cultural institutions strut their stuff on the international stage for a chance to win fame, glory and a trophy.  But this year our Director, Angus Trumble had other things on his mind...

On the passage and pace of time

by Angus Trumble, 5 April 2016

In shock it fluctuates and with age, accelerates. Remembering the First World War and the Easter Rising.
Lord Kitchener
Lord Kitchener
Lord Kitchener

Lord Kitchener

Imperial strategist

by Angus Trumble, 7 March 2016

Once central to military strategy and venerated in patriotic households, Lord Kitchener is now largely forgotten.
Percy, Reginald, Monty and George Faithfull, undated by Henry Dorner. Image courtesy the National Museum of Australia.
Percy, Reginald, Monty and George Faithfull, undated by Henry Dorner. Image courtesy the National Museum of Australia.
Percy, Reginald, Monty and George Faithfull, undated by Henry Dorner. Image courtesy the National Museum of Australia.

An affray which deserves particular mention

Ben Hall and his gang outdone, 6 February 1865

by Joanna Gilmour, 6 February 2016

Bushranger Ben Hall and his cronies held around 40 people hostage in a pub north-west of Goulburn, telling their captives ‘don’t be alarmed; we only came here for a bit of fun’.
'Moses' by Michelangelo, c. 1513–1515
'Moses' by Michelangelo, c. 1513–1515
'Moses' by Michelangelo, c. 1513–1515

Not perspiring, but glowing.

The cultural history of radiance.

by Angus Trumble, 2 February 2016

Angus Trumble explores the creative manifestations of radiance.
Olga Radalyski prison records, on loan from the Public Record Office of Victoria.
Olga Radalyski prison records, on loan from the Public Record Office of Victoria.
Olga Radalyski prison records, on loan from the Public Record Office of Victoria.

The sensational denouement of the case

The Yarra Boot Trunk Tragedy, 12 January 1899

by Joanna Gilmour, 12 January 2016

The 'Yarra Boot Trunk Tragedy' unfolded a week before Christmas 1898, when some neighbourhood boys noticed a wooden box floating in the river at Richmond. 
Portrait of Captain James Cook RN
Portrait of Captain James Cook RN
Portrait of Captain James Cook RN

Robert Oatley AO

1928–2016

11 January 2016

The National Portrait Gallery mourns the loss of one our most generous benefactors, Robert Oatley AO.
James Mccabe Executed Jany. 6th 1826
James Mccabe Executed Jany. 6th 1826
James Mccabe Executed Jany. 6th 1826

The consolations of religion

A bushranger meets his maker, 6 January 1826

by Joanna Gilmour, 6 January 2016

James McCabe provides proof that hanging wasn’t necessarily a fate reserved for the perpetrators of murder and other deeds of darkest hue. 
Henry Louis Bertrand, ca. 1865 photographed by the Milligan Brothers. Collection of the State Library of NSW
Henry Louis Bertrand, ca. 1865 photographed by the Milligan Brothers. Collection of the State Library of NSW
Henry Louis Bertrand, ca. 1865 photographed by the Milligan Brothers. Collection of the State Library of NSW

A passion eating into your vitals

The ‘Mad Dentist of Wynyard Square’ in court, 18 December 1865

by Joanna Gilmour, 18 December 2015

The salacious and sordid details of Henry Kinder’s death transfixed Sydneysiders with a case combining murder with seduction, mesmerism, blackmail and poisoning.
Prison photograph of Ned Kelly c.1873, image courtesy National Museum of Australia.
Prison photograph of Ned Kelly c.1873, image courtesy National Museum of Australia.
Prison photograph of Ned Kelly c.1873, image courtesy National Museum of Australia.

The outlaws coolly disported themselves

Ned Kelly & co at Euroa, 9 and 10 December 1878

by Joanna Gilmour, 9 December 2015

'Each man arrayed himself in a new rig from head to foot, and even such luxuries as soaps and perfumery were not despised'
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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

This website comprises and contains copyrighted materials and works. Copyright in all materials and/or works comprising or contained within this website remains with the National Portrait Gallery and other copyright owners as specified.

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