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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.

Women Make History

In Galleries Seven, Eight and Nine

Well behaved women seldom make history, as the saying goes, and the National Portrait Gallery, consequently, is full of awesome Australian women who refused to conform to narrow ideas about their place and their worth.

More information on Women Make History

Portraits on display

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Helena Rubinstein in a red brocade Balenciaga gown
Helena Rubinstein in a red brocade Balenciaga gown, 1957 Graham Sutherland. © Estate of Graham Sutherland
Collection display in Gallery Eight, March 2022
Collection display in Gallery Eight, March 2022
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily, 1993 Jenny Sages. © Jenny Sages
Chrissy Amphlett
Chrissy Amphlett "Temperamental", 1989 Ivan Durrant. © Ivan Durrant/Copyright Agency, 2024
Lindy Lee
Lindy Lee, 2003 Greg Weight. © Gregory Weight/Copyright Agency, 2024
Mirka by Mirka
Mirka by Mirka, 2000 Mirka Mora. © Mirka Mora/Copyright Agency, 2024
Potters' Portrait Pot
Potters' Portrait Pot, 2009 Hermannsburg Potters, Irene Mbitjana Entata, Virginia Mbitjana Rontji, Lindy Panangka Rontji, Rahel Kngwarria Ungwanaka, Rona Panangka Rubuntja, Dawn Ngala Wheeler, Judith Pungarta Inkamala, Anita Ratara Mbitjana, Hayley Panangka Coulthard, Clara Ngala Inkamala. © Hermannsburg Potters Aboriginal Corporation
Portrait of Dame Elisabeth Murdoch
Portrait of Dame Elisabeth Murdoch, 2000 Australian Tapestry Workshop, Merrill Dumbrell, Christopher Pyett, Normana Wight. © Australian Tapestry Workshop
Dorothy Porter
Dorothy Porter, 2001-2002 Rick Amor. © Rick Amor/Copyright Agency, 2024
Dame Judith Anderson
Dame Judith Anderson, 1962 Don Bachardy. © Don Bachardy
Robyn Archer
Robyn Archer, 1990 George Gittoes AM. © George Gittoes/Copyright Agency, 2024
Annette Kellerman
Annette Kellerman, c. 1907 (printed 2003) H. Walter Barnett
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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.

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.

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