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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.

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Natalie Wilson by Anna Kucera

Archie 100 Curatorial Talk with Natalie Wilson

Event, Saturday 21 October

Join Natalie Wilson, Curator of Australian Art at the Art Gallery of New South Wales and curator of Archie 100: A Century of the Archibald Prize for a deep dive into the history and evolution of the Prize.

Natalie Wilson by Anna Kucera

Virtual Highlight Tour

Curator’s Intro – Archie 100: A Century of the Archibald Prize

Event, Tuesday 24 October

Join Natalie Wilson, curator of Archie 100: A Century of the Archibald Prize and Curator of Australian Art at the Art Gallery of NSW, for a peek into some of the portraits and themes in the exhibition.

James, Rebecca and Sam Mapu

Time and light

In Gallery Seven

Current exhibition

This sample of 56 photographs takes in some of the smallest photographs we own and some of the largest, some of the earliest and some of the most recent, as well as multiple photographic processes from daguerreotypes to digital media.

Portrait of Professor Derek Freeman

Paper weight

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2022

Joanna Gilmour delves into a collection display that celebrates the immediacy and potency of drawing as an art form in its own right.

David Lloyd Jones

David Lloyd Jones

David Lloyd Jones

David Lloyd Jones, 1944

Sir William Dobell OBE

Portrait, oil on masonite

Gift of David Lloyd Jones, in memory of his father, David Lloyd Jones 2021. Donated through Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

William Dobell

William Dobell part one

In their own words

In their own words

Recorded 1961

Sketch for Prime Minister Robert Menzies

William Dobell part two

In their own words

In their own words

Recorded 1961

George Reid paperweight

Some prime ministers

General content

Sarah Engledow explores the history of the prime ministers and artists featured in the exhibition.

Bob Hawke

Primed

Some Prime Ministers

Previous exhibition, 2019

Seventeen of Australia’s thirty prime ministers to date are represented in the contrasting sizes, moods and mediums of these portraits.

Helen Blaxland judging flower arrangements, c. 1940s photographer unknown

Petal to the mettle

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2019

Sarah Engledow lauds the very civil service of Dame Helen Blaxland.

image not online

Self portrait at 85, 1990

Portrait, oil on primed masonite

Gift of the late May Ralph 2019

Helena Rubinstein in a red brocade Balenciaga gown

Study in scarlet

Magazine article by Angus Trumble, 2018

Angus Trumble reflects on the force of nature that was Helena Rubinstein.

Self portrait

A guy from Paris

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2018

Sarah Engledow on a foundational gallery figure who was quick on the draw.

William Dobell

William Dobell

William Dobell

William Dobell, 1943

Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Gift of Danina Anderson, daughter of Max Dupain 2017.
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Sir William Dobell

Sir William Dobell

Sir William Dobell

Sir William Dobell, n.d.

Portrait, fibre-tipped pen and pen and ink on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Mrs Lily Kahan 2017
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

Dr Edward MacMahon, 1959 by William Dobell

Bill and Ted's excellent portrait.

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2016

Sarah Engledow on Messrs Dobell and MacMahon and the art of friendship.

© National Portrait Gallery 2023
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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