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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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Francis (Pat) Quinn

c. 1954
Max Dupain OBE

gelatin silver photograph on paper (image: 35.5 cm x 31.0 cm, sheet: 38.3 cm x 31.0 cm)

Francis (Pat) Quinn (1914–2010), showman and hypnotist, was born in Christchurch, New Zealand. His father's career as a theatre manager inspired him to work in showbusiness. Quinn first became interested in hypnotism after reading George du Maurier's 1894 novel Trilby. In the 1930s he worked in radio as a breakfast announcer and hosted his own show at night, The Film Fan Show. Following the Second World War he worked in the sideshow of a travelling fair, acting as a spruiker for the show. He developed his 'Great Fanquin' stage act in 1949 – hypnotising people from the audience – which was an instant success. During the 1950s and 1960s he performed sell-out shows in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, and also toured to Hawaii, Canada, USA and South Africa.

Gift of Danina Dupain Anderson 2021. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.
© Max Dupain/Copyright Agency, 2024

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.

Artist and subject

Max Dupain OBE (age 43 in 1954)

Francis (Pat) Quinn (age 40 in 1954)

Donated by

Danina Dupain Anderson (47 portraits)

© National Portrait Gallery 2024
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ABN: 54 74 277 1196

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