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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.

Self portrait, exhibited 1929

Doris Zinkeisen

Self portrait, exhibited 1929

Doris Zinkeisen (1897–1991) worked as an artist, and as a set and costume designer. Her talent as a designer for the stage is perhaps indicated in this theatrical self portrait, where the prominent make-up of the period is stressed. The heavily embroidered Chinese shawl draped off her shoulders lends a provocative air. She seems about to leave the set, pulling aside the black curtain with a hand half-covered by the black edging of the shawl.

The portrait was painted mostly in Sydney, where it was reported in January 1929 that she worked ‘in an impromptu studio at the end of her hotel bedroom’. A reproduction of the work featured on the cover of the Sydney style bible The Home in April 1929. It was exhibited at the Royal Academy that year under Zinkeisen’s married name, Mrs Grahame Johnstone, both ironically denying her connection with the creation of the image and asserting her social position.

National Portrait Gallery, London. Purchased, 1999
© Estate of Doris Clare Zinkeisen

Shakespeare to Winehouse
(More information, View all 59 images)

Frederick Burnaby
Self portrait
Self portrait
Self portrait

Related information

William Shakespeare, c. 1600-1610 associated with John Taylor
William Shakespeare, c. 1600-1610 associated with John Taylor
William Shakespeare, c. 1600-1610 associated with John Taylor
William Shakespeare, c. 1600-1610 associated with John Taylor

Take thy face hence

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2022

Joanna Gilmour travels through time to explore the National Portrait Gallery London’s masterpieces in Shakespeare to Winehouse.
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The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance

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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.

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