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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.

Depth of Field

Portrait Photography from the Collection

Over the last five years the National Portrait Gallery has developed a collection of portrait photographs that reflects both the strength and diversity of Australian achievement as well as the talents of our photographers.

More information on Depth of Field

Selected images

101 images
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In the mirror: self portrait with Joy Hester
In the mirror: self portrait with Joy Hester, 1939 Albert Tucker
Michael Hutchence
Michael Hutchence, 1997 Harry Borden. © Harry Borden
Patrick White #1
Patrick White #1, 1980 William Yang. © William Yang
Judy Davis
Judy Davis, 1981 William Yang. © William Yang
Martin Sharp
Martin Sharp, 1980 William Yang. © William Yang
Mel Gibson
Mel Gibson, 1982 William Yang. © William Yang
Lewis Morley
Lewis Morley, 2003 Sage. © Sage
Nora Heysen inside her home, Hunters Hill, Sydney
Nora Heysen inside her home, Hunters Hill, Sydney, 2000 Sage. © Sage
Cate Blanchett
Cate Blanchett, 1998 Sage. © Sage
George Gregan
George Gregan, 1999 (printed 2001) Peter Brew-Bevan. © Peter Brew-Bevan
Susie Porter
Susie Porter, 2000 (printed 2001) Peter Brew-Bevan. © Peter Brew-Bevan
Dawn Fraser
Dawn Fraser, 1998 (printed 2001) Peter Brew-Bevan. © Peter Brew-Bevan
Colin McCahon, Auckland, New Zealand
Colin McCahon, Auckland, New Zealand, 1963 (printed 2000) David Moore. © Lisa, Michael, Matthew and Joshua Moore
http://davidmoorephotography.com.au/
David Gulpilil, Arnhem Land
David Gulpilil, Arnhem Land, 1981 (printed 2000) David Moore. © Lisa, Michael, Matthew and Joshua Moore
http://davidmoorephotography.com.au/
David Potts reflected in a magazine page
David Potts reflected in a magazine page, c. 1949 (printed 2000) David Moore
Dawn Fraser
Dawn Fraser, 1963 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/
Philip Noyce on the set of 'Heatwave', Sydney
Philip Noyce on the set of 'Heatwave', Sydney, 1981 (printed 2000) David Moore. © Lisa, Michael, Matthew and Joshua Moore
http://davidmoorephotography.com.au/
President Johnson and Prime Minister Holt at Canberra Airport
President Johnson and Prime Minister Holt at Canberra Airport, 1966 (printed 2000) David Moore. © Lisa, Michael, Matthew and Joshua Moore
http://davidmoorephotography.com.au/
Robert Helpmann
Robert Helpmann, 1969 David Moore. © Lisa, Michael, Matthew and Joshua Moore
http://davidmoorephotography.com.au/
Yvonne Audette, Vaucluse, Sydney
Yvonne Audette, Vaucluse, Sydney, 1968 (printed 2000) David Moore. © Lisa, Michael, Matthew and Joshua Moore
http://davidmoorephotography.com.au/
Elle Macpherson
Elle Macpherson, 2000 Polly Borland. © Polly Borland
Sir Les Patterson
Sir Les Patterson, 1999 Polly Borland. © Polly Borland
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Rolf Harris, 1999 Polly Borland
Professor Germaine Greer
Professor Germaine Greer, 1999 Polly Borland. © Polly Borland
image not online
NC
Kylie Minogue, 1999 Polly Borland
Fred Schepisi
Fred Schepisi, c. 2000 Kate Gollings. © Estate of Kate Gollings
Victor and Loti Smorgon
Victor and Loti Smorgon, 1995 (printed 2001) Kate Gollings. © Estate of Kate Gollings
Ian Kiernan
Ian Kiernan, 1996 Kate Gollings. © Estate of Kate Gollings
Sir Albert Victor Jennings
Sir Albert Victor Jennings, 1984 Kate Gollings. © Estate of Kate Gollings
David Moore, Max Dupain and John Gollings
David Moore, Max Dupain and John Gollings, 1980 Kate Gollings. © Estate of Kate Gollings
Ada Bird Petyarre
Ada Bird Petyarre, 1990 Anne Zahalka. © Anne Zahalka/Copyright Agency, 2023
Mandy Martin
Mandy Martin, 1990 Anne Zahalka. © Anne Zahalka/Copyright Agency, 2023
Self portrait
Self portrait, 1990 Anne Zahalka. © Anne Zahalka/Copyright Agency, 2023
Jørn Utzon
Jørn Utzon, 2000 Ole Haupt. © Ole Haupt
Douglas Carnegie
Douglas Carnegie, 1968 Mark Strizic. © Estate of Mark Strizic
Robin Boyd
Robin Boyd, 1970 Mark Strizic. © Estate of Mark Strizic
Sir Ian Potter
Sir Ian Potter, 1968 Mark Strizic. © Estate of Mark Strizic
Norma Redpath
Norma Redpath, 1964 Mark Strizic. © Estate of Mark Strizic
Matcham Skipper
Matcham Skipper, 1963 Mark Strizic. © Estate of Mark Strizic
Sir Gustav Nossal
Sir Gustav Nossal, 1979 (printed 1981) Mark Strizic. © Estate of Mark Strizic
Sir Charles Moses
Sir Charles Moses, 1968 Mark Strizic. © Estate of Mark Strizic
Rachel Griffiths
Rachel Griffiths, 2002 (printed 2004) Karin Catt. © Karin Catt
Nicole Kidman
Nicole Kidman, 2002 (printed 2004) Karin Catt. © Karin Catt
Phillip Noyce
Phillip Noyce, 2002 (printed 2004) Karin Catt. © Karin Catt
Rose Byrne
Rose Byrne, 2001 (printed 2004) Karin Catt. © Karin Catt
Jimmy Little, Dubbo Reconciliation Group Event
Jimmy Little, Dubbo Reconciliation Group Event, 2000 Mervyn Bishop. © Mervyn Bishop
Prime Minister Gough Whitlam pours soil into the hand of traditional land owner Vincent Lingiari
Prime Minister Gough Whitlam pours soil into the hand of traditional land owner Vincent Lingiari, 1975 Mervyn Bishop. © National Indigenous Australians Agency
Cathy Freeman
Cathy Freeman, 1994 Montalbetti + Campbell. © Montalbetti & Campbell
Glenn Murcutt
Glenn Murcutt, 1999 Montalbetti + Campbell. © Montalbetti & Campbell
Louise Sauvage
Louise Sauvage, 1996 (printed 1999) Montalbetti + Campbell. © Montalbetti & Campbell
Alan Marshall
Alan Marshall, 1984 Jacqueline Mitelman. © Jacqueline Mitelman
Rose Lindsay
Rose Lindsay, 1970 Anthony Browell. © Anthony Browell
Lloyd Rees
Lloyd Rees, 1970 Anthony Browell. © Anthony Browell
Sidney Nolan
Sidney Nolan, 1964 Axel Poignant. © Estate of Axel Poignant
Arthur Boyd
Arthur Boyd, 1962 Axel Poignant. © Estate of Axel Poignant
Albert and his wife Rubina, Macdonnell Ranges
Albert and his wife Rubina, Macdonnell Ranges, 1946 Axel Poignant
Peter Singer
Peter Singer, 2002 Juliet van Otteren. © Juliet van Otteren
John Gorton
John Gorton, 1997 Nathan Kelly. © Nathan Kelly
Jeff Kennett
Jeff Kennett, 1999 Hugh Stewart. © Hugh Stewart
Nick Cave
Nick Cave, 1994 Bleddyn Butcher. © Bleddyn Butcher
Bleddyn@Tenderprey.com
David McComb (of The Triffids)
David McComb (of The Triffids), 1987 Bleddyn Butcher. © Bleddyn Butcher
Bleddyn@Tenderprey.com
Nick Cave and Rowland S. Howard (of The Birthday Party)
Nick Cave and Rowland S. Howard (of The Birthday Party), 1983 Bleddyn Butcher. © Bleddyn Butcher
Bleddyn@Tenderprey.com
Slim Dusty and Dame Edna Everage, Carlton Hill Station, WA, 10 July 1993
Slim Dusty and Dame Edna Everage, Carlton Hill Station, WA, 10 July 1993 John Elliott. © John Elliott
Howard Taylor
Howard Taylor, 1988 (printed 2001) John Austin. © John Austin
David Williamson
David Williamson, 1974 (printed 2001) Gordon Glenn. © Gordon Glenn
Peter Weir
Peter Weir, 1974 (printed 2001) Gordon Glenn. © Gordon Glenn
Andrew Sibley, painter, Sydney
Andrew Sibley, painter, Sydney, 1960 David Potts. © Estate of David Potts
Self portrait, Cyprus
Self portrait, Cyprus, 1953 David Potts
Ian Thorpe
Ian Thorpe, 2002 James Houston. © James Houston
Michael Klim
Michael Klim, 1999 Anderson & Low. © Anderson & Low
Rod Laver
Rod Laver Ern McQuillan OAM. © Michael McQuillan's Classic Photographs
Lew Hoad
Lew Hoad, 1954 Ern McQuillan OAM. © Michael McQuillan's Classic Photographs
Betty Cuthbert
Betty Cuthbert, 1955 (printed 2003) Ern McQuillan OAM. © Michael McQuillan's Classic Photographs
TJ Smith and Tulloch
TJ Smith and Tulloch, 1960 (printed 2003) Ern McQuillan OAM. © Michael McQuillan's Classic Photographs
George Moore
George Moore, 1957 Ern McQuillan OAM. © Michael McQuillan's Classic Photographs
John Laws
John Laws, 1981 John Williams. © Estate of John Williams
Ita Buttrose
Ita Buttrose, 1981 John Williams. © Estate of John Williams
Al Grassby and Penny Dent, Community Relations Commission, Canberra
Al Grassby and Penny Dent, Community Relations Commission, Canberra, 1982 John Williams. © Estate of John Williams
Rev. Fred Nile, Festival of Light, Sydney
Rev. Fred Nile, Festival of Light, Sydney, 1981 John Williams. © Estate of John Williams
The Movie Star (David Gulpilil)
The Movie Star (David Gulpilil), 1985 Tracey Moffatt. © Tracey Moffatt
Courtesy of the artist and Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, Sydney.
Some lads #1
Some lads #1, 1986 Tracey Moffatt. © Tracey Moffatt
Courtesy of the artist and Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, Sydney.
Dame Mary Gilmore
Dame Mary Gilmore, 1961 Max Dupain OBE. © Max Dupain/Copyright Agency, 2023
Eugene Goossens
Eugene Goossens, c. 1954 Max Dupain OBE
Francis Lymburner
Francis Lymburner, c. 1946 Max Dupain OBE
Lloyd Rees full face
Lloyd Rees full face, 1979 Max Dupain OBE. © Max Dupain/Copyright Agency, 2022
Norman Lindsay
Norman Lindsay, 1936 Max Dupain OBE
Patricia 'Bambi' Tuckwell (Shmith)
Patricia 'Bambi' Tuckwell (Shmith), c. 1952 Max Dupain OBE
Rosemary Dobson
Rosemary Dobson, 1981 Max Dupain OBE. © Max Dupain/Copyright Agency, 2022
Tamara Tchinarova
Tamara Tchinarova, 1938 Max Dupain OBE
Walter Gropius and Harry Seidler
Walter Gropius and Harry Seidler, 1954 Max Dupain OBE
Brett Whiteley
Brett Whiteley, 1974 Lewis Morley. © Lewis Morley Archive LLC
Florence Broadhurst
Florence Broadhurst, 1975 Lewis Morley. © Lewis Morley Archive LLC
Joan Sutherland
Joan Sutherland, n.d. (printed 1992) Lewis Morley. © Lewis Morley Archive LLC
Junie Morosi
Junie Morosi, 1975 (printed 2002) Lewis Morley. © Lewis Morley Archive LLC
Marcia Hines
Marcia Hines, c. 1981 Lewis Morley. © Lewis Morley Archive LLC
Margaret Fink
Margaret Fink, 1975 Lewis Morley. © Lewis Morley Archive LLC
Margaret Olley
Margaret Olley, 1998 Lewis Morley. © Lewis Morley Archive LLC
Peter Carey
Peter Carey, 1989 Lewis Morley. © Lewis Morley Archive LLC
Ron Grainer
Ron Grainer, 1965 (printed 2002) Lewis Morley. © Lewis Morley Archive LLC
Sherbet
Sherbet, 1974 (printed 2002) Lewis Morley. © Lewis Morley Archive LLC
101 images
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Related information

Cathy Freeman, 1994
Cathy Freeman, 1994
Cathy Freeman, 1994
Cathy Freeman, 1994

Depth of Field

Magazine article by Lauren Dalla, 2004

The exhibition Depth of Field displays a selection of portrait photographs that reflect the strength and diversity of Australian achievement.
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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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