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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.

The work of art

Now on display in Galleries Eight and Nine

It takes a village to raise a creative! Get an insight into the often-unseen work and supporters needed for the arts to thrive. The work of art documents the creative process, evoke states of creativity and inspiration, and shows us clues about the subject’s own work from the way artists portray them.

More information on The work of art

Selected images

Self portrait

Self portrait, 1990 Anne Zahalka. © Anne Zahalka/Copyright Agency, 2023

Portrait of a beautiful mind - Adam Cullen, Blue Mountains

Portrait of a beautiful mind - Adam Cullen, Blue Mountains, 2005 (printed 2019) George Fetting. © George Fetting/Copyright Agency, 2023

Portrait of Patricia Piccinini

Portrait of Patricia Piccinini, 2019 Allissa Oughtred. © Allissa Oughtred

John Mawurndjul

John Mawurndjul, 2005 R. Ian Lloyd. © R Ian Lloyd/Copyright Agency, 2023

Betty Churcher

Betty Churcher, 1994 Anne Zahalka. © Anne Zahalka/Copyright Agency, 2023

Baz Luhrmann

Baz Luhrmann, 2000 Ingvar Kenne. © Ingvar Kenne

Me, 1992 Ken Done. © Ken Done

A Portrait (Kate Hattam)

A Portrait (Kate Hattam), 1956 Clifton Pugh AO. © Shane Pugh

The Witching Hour - Elena Kats-Chernin

The Witching Hour - Elena Kats-Chernin, 2017 Wendy Sharpe. © Wendy Sharpe

Pat Painting No 1

Pat Painting No 1, 1983 Richard Larter. © Richard Larter/Copyright Agency, 2023

Portrait of Tam Purves

Portrait of Tam Purves, 1958 John Brack. © Helen Brack

Portrait of Kym Bonython/Portrait of Mr Bonython's speedway cap

Portrait of Kym Bonython/Portrait of Mr Bonython's speedway cap, 1963-1966 John Brack. © Helen Brack

Michelle de Kretser, Geography & History

Michelle de Kretser, Geography & History, 2013 Weng-Ho Chong. © Weng-Ho Chong

Self portrait with Bottlebrush

Self portrait with Bottlebrush, 1991 Margaret Olley AC. © Margaret Olley Art Trust

Peter Sculthorpe

Peter Sculthorpe, 1982 Eric Smith. © Estate of Eric Smith

David Moore, Corio, Victoria

David Moore, Corio, Victoria, 1942 (printed 2000) David Moore

Self Portrait with Light Meter

Self Portrait with Light Meter, 1987/2007 William Yang. © William Yang

Self portrait

Self portrait, 1937 Harold Cazneaux

Sue Walker

Sue Walker, 1977 Lewis Morley. © Lewis Morley Archive LLC

Max Dupain, Artamon, Sydney

Max Dupain, Artamon, Sydney, 1979 (printed 2000) David Moore. © Lisa, Michael, Matthew and Joshua Moore
http://davidmoorephotography.com.au/

Arthur Boyd - Bundanon Studio II

Arthur Boyd - Bundanon Studio II, 1993 Greg Weight. © Gregory Weight/Copyright Agency, 2023

Pat Corrigan

Pat Corrigan, 2007 (printed 2021) Anne Zahalka. © Anne Zahalka/Copyright Agency, 2023

Geoffrey Legge and Frank Watters

Geoffrey Legge and Frank Watters, 1999 Anne Zahalka. © Anne Zahalka/Copyright Agency, 2023

The Writer, Peter Goldsworthy

The Writer, Peter Goldsworthy, 2018 Deidre But-Husaim. © Deidre But-Husaim

John Schaeffer AO - art collector and philanthropist

John Schaeffer AO - art collector and philanthropist, 2014 Evert Ploeg. © Evert Ploeg/Copyright Agency, 2023

Dr Joseph Brown with Two Typists

Dr Joseph Brown with Two Typists, 1996 Noel McKenna. © Noel McKenna/Copyright Agency, 2023
John Brack 'Two Typists' 1955 is kindly reproduced with permission from Helen Brack

Another painter in the studio: Tim Storrier

Another painter in the studio: Tim Storrier, 1982 Bryan Westwood. © Bryan Westwood/Copyright Agency, 2023

David Gulpilil, Arnhem Land

David Gulpilil, Arnhem Land, 1981 (printed 2000) David Moore. © Lisa, Michael, Matthew and Joshua Moore
http://davidmoorephotography.com.au/

Portrait of Jawoyn Elder, Margaret Katherine

Portrait of Jawoyn Elder, Margaret Katherine, 2015 John Gollings. © John Gollings/Copyright Agency, 2023

Ada Bird Petyarre

Ada Bird Petyarre, 1990 Anne Zahalka. © Anne Zahalka/Copyright Agency, 2023

Kate (Kate Grenville)

Kate (Kate Grenville), 2012 Jenny Sages. © Jenny Sages

Peter Carey in Kelly country

Peter Carey in Kelly country, 2000 Bruce Armstrong. © Bruce Armstrong

"Poet of the Hawkesbury" Robert Adamson, 2012 Geoffrey Dyer. © Geoffrey Dyer/Copyright Agency, 2023

Avril

Avril, 1986 (printed 2013) Michael Riley. © Michael Riley/Copyright Agency, 2023

Djon

Djon, 1990 (printed 2013) Michael Riley. © Michael Riley/Copyright Agency, 2023

Hetti

Hetti, 1990 (printed 2013) Michael Riley. © Michael Riley/Copyright Agency, 2023

John Olsen - En plein air

John Olsen - En plein air, 1996 Greg Weight. © Gregory Weight/Copyright Agency, 2023

John Tjakamarra

John Tjakamarra, 1974 (printed 2007) Jon Rhodes. © Jon Rhodes

Ginger Riley at the Limmen River, Northern Territory

Ginger Riley at the Limmen River, Northern Territory, 1992 (printed 2013) Helga Leunig. © Helga Leunig

Portrait of Florence Broadhurst

Portrait of Florence Broadhurst, 1968 Joshua Smith. © Estate of Joshua Smith

Self portrait at easel

Self portrait at easel, 1960-1961 Fred Williams. © Fred Williams

Bernard Smith

Bernard Smith, 1985 Albert Tucker. © Albert & Barbara Tucker Foundation. Courtesy of Smith & Singer Fine Art.

John Kaldor

John Kaldor, 1975 (printed 2002) Lewis Morley. © Lewis Morley Archive LLC

Patrick White, Castle Hill, Sydney

Patrick White, Castle Hill, Sydney, 1963 (printed 2000) David Moore. © Lisa, Michael, Matthew and Joshua Moore
http://davidmoorephotography.com.au/

Harry Seidler, Killara, Sydney

Harry Seidler, Killara, Sydney, 1984 (printed 2000) David Moore. © Lisa, Michael, Matthew and Joshua Moore
http://davidmoorephotography.com.au/

Dame Mary Gilmore

Dame Mary Gilmore, 1961 Max Dupain OBE. © Max Dupain/Copyright Agency, 2023

Barbara Blackman

Barbara Blackman, c. 1953 an unknown artist

Rosemary Madigan

Rosemary Madigan, 1992 Greg Weight. © Gregory Weight/Copyright Agency, 2023

Professor John Mulvaney

Professor John Mulvaney, 1984 Janenne Eaton. © Janenne Eaton

Patrick McCaughey

Patrick McCaughey, 1985 Fred Cress. © Estate of Fred Cress

Portrait of Joshua Payne Esq.

Portrait of Joshua Payne Esq., 1840 Daniel Byrne

Russell Page in Venice

Russell Page in Venice, 1997 Brenda L Croft. © Brenda L Croft/Copyright Agency, 2023

Warwick Thornton

Warwick Thornton, 2019 (printed 2022) Susan Stitt ACS. © Susan Stitt ACS

Noel Fraser Hickey

Noel Fraser Hickey, 1957 Nancy Menetrey. © Nancy Menetrey

James Mollison

James Mollison, c. 1973 (printed 2004) Wesley Stacey. © Wesley Stacey

Kerry Stokes

Kerry Stokes, 2014 (printed 2021) Peter Brew-Bevan. © Peter Brew-Bevan

Robyn Archer

Robyn Archer, 1982 Robert McFarlane. © Robert McFarlane/Copyright Agency, 2023

Barrie Kosky, Sydney Opera House

Barrie Kosky, Sydney Opera House, c. 1997 (printed 2017) Robert McFarlane. © Robert McFarlane/Copyright Agency, 2023

Judy Davis with director John Duigan in 'Winter of our Dreams'

Judy Davis with director John Duigan in 'Winter of our Dreams', 1981 (printed 2017) Robert McFarlane. © Robert McFarlane/Copyright Agency, 2023

Florrie Forde

Florrie Forde, c. 1915 an unknown artist

Henri van Raatle

Henri van Raatle, c. 1910 an unknown artist

Self portrait

Self portrait, 1846 George French Angas

Rayner Hoff

Rayner Hoff, 1924 Harold Cazneaux

Self portrait

Self portrait, 1870 William H. Bardwell

image not online

Two gentlemen celebrating a birthday (Frank Watters and Geoffrey Legge), 1974 Bob Jenyns

image not online

Self portrait at 85, 1990 Joshua Smith

Ngayulu Minyma Tjanpinya, I am a Tjanpi Woman

Ngayulu Minyma Tjanpinya, I am a Tjanpi Woman, 2018 Tjunkaya Tapaya OAM, Tjanpi Desert Weavers. © Tjunkaya Tapaya OAM, Tjanpi Desert Weavers

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© National Portrait Gallery 2024
King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
Phone +61 2 6102 7000
ABN: 54 74 277 1196

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.

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. The use of images of works of art reproduced on this website and all other content may be restricted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Requests for a reproduction of a work of art or other content can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

The National Portrait Gallery is an Australian Government Agency