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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 Gallery’s Acknowledgement of Country, and information on culturally sensitive and restricted content and the use of historic language in the collection can be found here.

Thomas Woolner

c. 1865
an unknown artist

gelatin silver photograph on paper (backing sheet: 25.6 cm x 22.6 cm, image: 8.7 cm x 6.8 cm)
Thomas Woolner

Thomas Woolner (1825–1892) was a Royal Academy-trained sculptor and member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, who came to Australia in 1852 thinking he might make his fortune on the goldfields. He ended up having more success as an artist, completing a number of significant portraits and commissions before returning to England in 1854.

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds provided by L Gordon Darling AC CMG 2009

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. Works of art from the collection are reproduced as per the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). The use of images of works from the collection may be restricted under the Act. Requests for a reproduction of a work of art can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.
Thomas Woolner

Listen: Thomas Woolner

In their own words
2009.137
Currently not on display
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Artist and subject

Thomas Woolner (age 40 in 1865)

Subject professions

Visual arts and crafts

Supported by

L Gordon Darling AC CMG (38 portraits supported)

Related portraits

William Charles Wentworth
Charles Joseph La Trobe
Phillip Parker King
Sir Charles Nicholson
1. William Charles Wentworth, 1854. 2. Charles Joseph La Trobe, 1853. 3. Phillip Parker King, 1854. 4. Sir Charles Nicholson, 1854. All Thomas Woolner.

Related information

The Companion

Permanent collection catalogue

Café and shop

On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves: who we read, who we watch, who we listen to, who we cheer for, who we aspire to be, and who we'll never forget. The Companion is available to buy online and in the Portrait Gallery Store.
Cover, first minute book of the Tasmanian Society of Natural History
Cover, first minute book of the Tasmanian Society of Natural History
Cover, first minute book of the Tasmanian Society of Natural History
Cover, first minute book of the Tasmanian Society of Natural History

Embrace your inner nerd

About Face article

1 June 2018

The southern winter has arrived. For people in the northern hemisphere (the majority of humanity) the idea of snow and ice, freezing mist and fog in June, potentially continuing through to August and beyond, encapsulates the topsy-turvidom of our southern continent.
Thomas Woolner
Thomas Woolner
Thomas Woolner
Thomas Woolner

The mystery of Enoch Arden

About Face article

4 July 2016

Tennyson's Enoch Arden was inspired by a story that Thomas Woolner passed on to him – but whose story and of whom?
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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