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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.

Portraits for Posterity

Drawn from some of the many donations made to the Gallery's collection, the exhibition Portraits for Posterity pays homage both to the remarkable (and varied) group of Australians who are portrayed in the portraits and the generosity of the many donors who have presented them to the Gallery.

More information on Portraits for Posterity

Selected images

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Portrait of Professor Graeme Clark
Portrait of Professor Graeme Clark, 2000 Peter Wegner. © Peter Wegner
Dame Joan Sutherland
Dame Joan Sutherland, c. 1977 Robert Hannaford AM. © Robert Hannaford/Copyright Agency, 2024
Sir George Coles
Sir George Coles, 1935 W B McInnes
Joan Croll
Joan Croll, 1976 John Brack. © Helen Brack
Edward Knox
Edward Knox, c. 1927-1929 W B McInnes
Lady Knox
Lady Knox, c. 1927-1929 W B McInnes
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/
Judy Davis on the set of 'Heatwave', Sydney
Judy Davis on the set of 'Heatwave', Sydney, 1981 (printed 2000) David Moore. © Lisa, Michael, Matthew and Joshua Moore
http://davidmoorephotography.com.au/
Sidney Nolan, Western Australia
Sidney Nolan, Western Australia, 1962 (printed 2000) David Moore. © Lisa, Michael, Matthew and Joshua Moore
http://davidmoorephotography.com.au/
Ed Murrow, New York
Ed Murrow, New York, 1956 (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/
Portrait of Captain James Cook RN
Portrait of Captain James Cook RN, 1782 John Webber
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Related information

Manning Clark
Manning Clark
Manning Clark
Manning Clark

Virtual Highlight Tour

Writers of History

12:30pm, Tue 11 Nov

Join Visitor Experience Assistant, Kat as she steps back in time with portraits of historians, uncovering how they have shaped the stories we tell today.
Dr Peter Farrell
Dr Peter Farrell
Dr Peter Farrell
Dr Peter Farrell

Giving and getting

Magazine article by Michael Desmond, 2006

The exhibition Portraits for Posterity celebrates gifts to the Gallery, of purchases made with donated funds, and testifies to the generosity and community spirit of Australians.
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance

The Gallery

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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.

The National Portrait Gallery is an Australian Government Agency