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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.

John Olsen AO, CBE

2017
Nicholas Harding

oil on linen (support: 198.0 cm x 138.0 cm)
John Olsen AO, CBE

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2019
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program
© Nicholas Harding

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.
John Olsen AO, CBE

Listen: John Olsen

In their own words

Recorded 1962
2019.22
Currently not on display
Request a digital copy for publication

Artist and subject

Nicholas Harding (age 61 in 2017)

John Olsen AO CBE (age 89 in 2017)

Subject professions

Visual arts and crafts

Donated by

Nicholas Harding (3 portraits)

Related portraits
(View all 10)

John Olsen - En plein air
John Olsen
John Olsen
Olly's Trolly, Freddie's Brushes
1. John Olsen - En plein air, 1996 Greg Weight. © Gregory Weight/Copyright Agency, 2021. 2. John Olsen, 1996 Greg Weight. © Gregory Weight/Copyright Agency, 2021. 3. John Olsen, 1979 Greg Weight. © Gregory Weight/Copyright Agency, 2021. 4. Olly's Trolly, Freddie's Brushes, 1989 Murray Walker. © Murray Walker.

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.
David Marr, 2011 by Nicholas Harding
David Marr, 2011 by Nicholas Harding
David Marr, 2011 by Nicholas Harding
David Marr, 2011 by Nicholas Harding

Through thick and thin

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2017

Sarah Engledow likes the manifold mediums of Nicholas Harding’s portraiture.
Rehearsing Godot (Mullins as Lucky) 4.11.2013 by Nicholas Harding
Rehearsing Godot (Mullins as Lucky) 4.11.2013 by Nicholas Harding
Rehearsing Godot (Mullins as Lucky) 4.11.2013 by Nicholas Harding
Rehearsing Godot (Mullins as Lucky) 4.11.2013 by Nicholas Harding

Waiting for Godot

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2015

'Artist and actors, advancing spasmodically, find their rhythm together' writes Sarah Engledow.
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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