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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.

Janai and Josh, 2011 by Simon Harsent

NPPP 2012 exhibition essay

General content

Joanna Gilmour, National Photographic Portrait Prize judge and curator, introduces the 2012 Prize.

Face of South Sudan, 2012 by Melanie Faith Dove

NPPP 2013 exhibition essay

General content

Joanna Gilmour, National Photographic Portrait Prize judge and curator, introduces the 2013 Prize.

Andrew George Scott, alias Captain Moonlite, c.1879 attributed to Charles Nettleton

The Portrait Gallery

General content

Photography played a significant role in the circulation of messages about law and order, and in the creation of sensation and celebrity. 

Ned Kelly death mask

The Waxworks

General content

Waxworks were among the various types of entertainment venue to emerge in Australian cities in the mid-nineteenth century. 

Phrenology video: 3 minutes 25 seconds

The Dissecting Room

General content

Though initially developed by physicians, phrenology was taken up by certain non-medical practitioners who applied the theory to social questions such as education and criminal reform. 

At the Pantechnetheca, Exhibition, Eastern Arcade, Dominick Sonsee, the smallest man in the world

The Freak Show

General content

Many performers availed themselves of the services of photographic studios, posing for carte de visite portraits that served as souvenirs and as instruments in the making of renown and notoriety.       

The Memoirs of George Barrington

The Library

General content

By the end of the eighteenth century, crime, criminals and punishment were standard subjects for those engaged in the English print trade. 

Robert OHara Burke, 1860

The Parlour

General content

The Victorian era has been described as one wherein death was a part of everyday experience. People died at home having been nursed in their final illnesses by family members. 

Self portrait, c. 1770–75  by Angelica Kauffmann

In conversation with Jo Gilmour

General content

An Auslan interpreted program with Curator, Collection & Research, Joanna Gilmour, exploring some of the stories, artworks and people who have made it to our shores (and walls of the Gallery!).

Ned Kelly death mask

Sideshow Alley: Infamy, the macabre & the portrait

5 December 2015
Archived media releases 2015

Bushrangers, oddities, true crime and scandal come together in this modern day cabinet of curiosities.

In Conversation

Rock Chick: Lindy Morrison, 12th March 2021
Recorded virtual programs

Lindy Morrison has played in her share of bands over the years. From jazz to pop to punk, she’s been an ever-present force in Australian music.

David Malouf

2012-13 Acquisition Fund

Annual Appeal

The Circle of Friends Acquisition Fund for 2012 was dedicated to purchasing a portrait of David Malouf by Rick Amor.

15 minutes of frame

NPG Wellington, Edinburgh and Canberra, 10th March 2021
Recorded virtual programs

Delve into the lives, loves and labour of the world’s most prominent portrait galleries in this international conversation series.

image not online

Acknowledgments

Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2023–25

The Gallery would like to acknowledge and thank the people who contributed their time and expertise to participate in the development of this DIAP.

Ruby (left view), 2022 Shea Kirk

The 2023 National Photographic Portrait Prize

16 June 2023
Media

Shea Kirk’s portrait of friend and fellow-artist Emma Armstrong-Porter has won the 2023 National Photographic Portrait Prize.

Jack Charles

NPPP 2012 learning resource

Learning resource archive

Exploring select works from the NPPP 2012. For secondary students.

© National Portrait Gallery 2024
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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