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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.

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Portrait 41

October - November 2011

This issue features Kate Beynon, Philosopher Cynthia Freeland, Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, John Tsiavis & Chris Lilley, UK's BP Portrait Award, Purchasing power in colonial Sydney and more.

Painting shirt (Self portrait), 2011 by Kate Beynon
Painting shirt (Self portrait), 2011 by Kate Beynon
Painting shirt (Self portrait), 2011 by Kate Beynon

Observation point

by Kate Beynon

Artist Kate Beynon reflects on the place of portraiture in her artistic career.

Support Crew

by Dr Christopher Chapman

Portraits of philanthropists in the collection honour their contributions to Australia and acknowledge their support of the National Portrait Gallery.

The numbers man

by Dr Sarah Engledow

Dr. Sarah Engledow tells the story of Australia's first Federal statistician, Sir George Knibbs.

How to be a boy

by Dr Christopher Chapman

Christopher Chapman profiles Chris Lilley, actor and creator of Angry Boys.
Miss Robertson of Colac (Dolly), 1885-86
Miss Robertson of Colac (Dolly), 1885-86
Miss Robertson of Colac (Dolly), 1885-86

Brothers on farms

by Malcolm Robertson

Malcolm Robertson tells the family history of one of Australia's earliest patrons of the arts, his Scottish born great great great grandfather, William Robertson.
Staffordshire bull terrier belonging to the Rev. John Gower, 1851
Staffordshire bull terrier belonging to the Rev. John Gower, 1851
Staffordshire bull terrier belonging to the Rev. John Gower, 1851

Essential portraiture

by Michael Desmond

Michael Desmond in conversation with University of Houston professor of philosophy Cynthia Freeland.

Yolngu boy

by Ashleigh Wadman

Guy Maestri’s portrait of the musician was conceived after the artist saw Gurrumul perform in Sydney on New Year’s Eve 2008.
A woman of New South Wales, c. 1840
A woman of New South Wales, c. 1840
A woman of New South Wales, c. 1840

More cash than dash

by Joanna Gilmour

Joanna Gilmour describes how colonial portraitists found the perfect market among social status seeking Sydneysiders.
Sir Henry Unton
Sir Henry Unton
Sir Henry Unton

Icons and imagery

by Alison Weir

Alison Weir explores the National Portrait Gallery, London and the BP Portrait Award to find what makes a good painted portrait - past and present.
Opening of the First Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia by H.R.H. The Duke of Cornwall and York, May 9, 1901, 1903 by Tom Roberts
Opening of the First Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia by H.R.H. The Duke of Cornwall and York, May 9, 1901, 1903 by Tom Roberts
Opening of the First Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia by H.R.H. The Duke of Cornwall and York, May 9, 1901, 1903 by Tom Roberts

Empire records

by Kylie Scroope

Celebrates the centenary of the first national art collection, the Historic Memorials Collection, housed at Australia's Parliament House.

Related information

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Portrait is the preeminent journal of Australian and international portraiture.