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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.

Margaret Whitlam

Open Air

Portraits in the Landscape
Previous exhibition, 2008

Open Air is an exhibition of portraits of Australians in environments of particular significance to them.

Alexander Pearce
executed for murder
July 19th 1824

Public hanging

Magazine article by Michael Desmond, 2008

As a convict Thomas Bock was required to sketch executed murders for science; as a free man, fashionable society portraits.

Sydney city (Patrick White and Tom Uren, Hiroshima Day demonstration), 1984

The activist A-list

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2007

Dr Sarah Engledow examines a number of figures in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery who were pioneers or substantial supporters of the seminal Australian environmental campaigns of the early 1970s and 1980s.

Bee Miles

Good, bad and the ugly

Magazine article by Michael Desmond, 2007

Michael Desmond explores what makes a portrait subject significant.

Self portrait

Self Creation

Magazine article by Andrew Sayers AM, 2006

Former National Portrait Gallery Director, Andrew Sayers recalls meeting iconic Australian artist Sidney Nolan.

 

Self portrait
Self portrait
Self portrait

Self portrait, 1988

Sidney Nolan
Portrait, oil on composition board

Gift of Hon RL Hunter KC 2006. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Akira Isogawa

Peter Brew-Bevan Portraits

Previous exhibition, 2005

In this exhibition Sydney based photographer Peter Brew-Bevan brings together an intimate collection of works that highlight his passion for the genre of portraiture over the last 10 years

Dr John Yu

Clay, water, fire

Magazine article by Simon Elliott, 2005

Ah Xian's porcelain portrait of paediatrician Dr. John Yu reflects Yu's heritage and interests.

Rachel Griffiths
Rachel Griffiths
Rachel Griffiths

Rachel Griffiths, 2002 (printed 2004)

Karin Catt
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2005

James Mollison
James Mollison
James Mollison

James Mollison, c. 1973 (printed 2004)

Wesley Stacey
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of James Mollison AO 2004

James Mollison
James Mollison
James Mollison

James Mollison, c. 1973 (printed 2004)

Wesley Stacey
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Gift of James Mollison AO 2004

Naomi Watts
Naomi Watts
Naomi Watts

Naomi Watts, 2003

Peter Brew-Bevan
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Gift of the artist 2004

Cate Blanchett

Australians in Hollywood

Previous exhibition, 2003

Although perceived to be a recent phenomenon, the 'Aussie invasion' of Hollywood can actually be traced as far back as the early 1900s

Sidney Nolan
Sidney Nolan
Sidney Nolan

Sidney Nolan, 1964

Axel Poignant
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Purchased 2003

The Bushranger Tragedy (from The Australasian Sketcher, 23 November 1878)
The Bushranger Tragedy (from The Australasian Sketcher, 23 November 1878)
The Bushranger Tragedy (from The Australasian Sketcher, 23 November 1878)

The Bushranger Tragedy (from The Australasian Sketcher, 23 November 1878), 1878

an unknown artist, The Australasian Sketcher
Portrait, wood engraving on paper

Purchased 2003

Ned Kelly the Bushranger (from The Australasian Sketcher, 7 August 1880)
Ned Kelly the Bushranger (from The Australasian Sketcher, 7 August 1880)
Ned Kelly the Bushranger (from The Australasian Sketcher, 7 August 1880)

Ned Kelly the Bushranger (from The Australasian Sketcher, 7 August 1880), 1880

an unknown artist
Portrait, wood engraving on paper

Purchased 2002

© National Portrait Gallery 2024
King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia

Phone +61 2 6102 7000
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