Skip to main content
Menu

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.

Portrait of Kym Bonython/Portrait of Mr Bonython's speedway cap

Somewhere to hang your cap

Magazine article by Beatrice Thompson, 2007

A pair of portraits by John Brack; Portrait of Kym Bonython and Portrait of Mr Bonython's speedway cap combine to create a quirky depiction of their subject.

Song Dong Waste Not (detail), 2013

Family collective

Magazine article by Beatrice Gralton, 2013

Beatrice Gralton looks at a larger than life portrait by Chinese artist Song Dong.

Writing on the Wall, 2019 Dr Christian Thompson AO

Writing on the Wall, 2019

Dr Christian Thompson AO
Image
Eva and Finn, 2016 by Noah John Thompson

Eva and Finn, 2016

by Noah John Thompson
Image
Col Levy
Col Levy
Col Levy

Col Levy, 1971 (printed 2009)

Douglas Thompson
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2009

Les Blakebrough
Les Blakebrough
Les Blakebrough

Les Blakebrough, 1971 (printed 2009)

Douglas Thompson
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2009

Little Pattie
Little Pattie
Little Pattie

Little Pattie, 1966 (printed 2019)

Ern McQuillan OAM
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2019

Jack Thompson
Jack Thompson
Jack Thompson

Jack Thompson, 2013

Dr Julie Dowling
Portrait, synthetic polymer paint and red ochre on canvas

Purchased 2015

Jack Thompson on the set of Spyforce
Jack Thompson on the set of Spyforce
Jack Thompson on the set of Spyforce

Jack Thompson on the set of Spyforce, 1970 (printed 2012)

Brian McInerney
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2012

James Gleeson
James Gleeson
James Gleeson

James Gleeson, 1974 (printed 2014)

Douglas Thompson
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2015

Peter Travis
Peter Travis
Peter Travis

Peter Travis, 1971 (printed 2009)

Douglas Thompson
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2009

Peter Rushforth
Peter Rushforth
Peter Rushforth

Peter Rushforth, 1971 (printed 2009)

Douglas Thompson
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2009

Cormac + Callum Kenne, My Children, Sydney, Australia, 2009

Citizen Kenne

Magazine article by April Thompson, 2013

April Thompson explores an exhibition of Ingvar Kenne’s global portrait project.

Jack Thompson
Jack Thompson
Jack Thompson

Jack Thompson, 2019 (printed 2021)

Peter Brew-Bevan
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Gift of the artist 2021

Garry Shead and Tom Thompson
Garry Shead and Tom Thompson
Garry Shead and Tom Thompson

Garry Shead and Tom Thompson, 1993

Adam Knott
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Richard King 2008
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

Garry Shead and Tom Thompson
Garry Shead and Tom Thompson
Garry Shead and Tom Thompson

Garry Shead and Tom Thompson, 1993

Adam Knott
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Richard King 2008
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

The press conference, 2010 by Jeremy Thompson

The press conference, 2010

by Jeremy Thompson
Image
Men of the Day No. 5
Men of the Day No. 5
Men of the Day No. 5

Men of the Day No. 5 "As straight as a reed" (Henry John Rous), 1870

Alfred Thompson, Vanity Fair Magazine
Portrait, chromolithograph on paper

Purchased 2015

Portrait of Troppo Architects, 2009

Thinking about architecture and portraiture

Magazine article by Dr Christopher Chapman, 2009

Dr Christopher Chapman describes the experimental exhibition Portraits + Architecture

Portrait of Kerstin Thompson Architects by Luis Ferreiro

Kerstin Thompson Architects

General content

Kerstin Thompson is Principal of Melbourne-based Kerstin Thompson Architects.

William and Martha Mary Robertson and their children [William St Leonards, Eliza, John, William St Leonards on a horse, Beatrice and Ida]
William and Martha Mary Robertson and their children [William St Leonards, Eliza, John, William St Leonards on a horse, Beatrice and Ida]
William and Martha Mary Robertson and their children [William St Leonards, Eliza, John, William St Leonards on a horse, Beatrice and Ida]

William and Martha Mary Robertson and their children [William St Leonards, Eliza, John, William St Leonards on a horse, Beatrice and Ida], 1860s-1870s

Various
Portrait, eight carte de visites, hand coloured, contained in a red leather presentation case

Gift of Malcolm Robertson in memory of William Thomas Robertson 2018. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

M.O. Ranger 3: Preparatory study for 'Nothing's as precious as a hole in the ground'
M.O. Ranger 3: Preparatory study for 'Nothing's as precious as a hole in the ground'
M.O. Ranger 3: Preparatory study for 'Nothing's as precious as a hole in the ground'

M.O. Ranger 3: Preparatory study for 'Nothing's as precious as a hole in the ground', 2001

eX de Medici
Portrait, watercolour, gouache and pencil on paper

Commissioned with funds from the Basil Bressler Bequest 2001

Soffritto di Lucio
Soffritto di Lucio
Soffritto di Lucio

Soffritto di Lucio, 2009

Garry Shead and Adrienne Levenson
Portrait, oil on linen

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Lucio Galletto OAM 2012
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

Bee Miles
Bee Miles
Bee Miles

Bee Miles, 1976

Roderick Shaw
Portrait, charcoal on paper

Gift of Brian Griffin 2000

Decorative portrait – Len Lye, c.1925 by Rayner Hoff (1894-1937)

Presence and Absence

Portrait Sculpture in Australia
Previous exhibition, 2003

This exhibition focuses on exploring national and communal identity through sculptural production in Australia, from the early decades of settlement through to the present day

Russell Crowe
Russell Crowe
Russell Crowe

Russell Crowe, 2001 (printed 2004)

Karin Catt
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2005

Lloyd Rees
Lloyd Rees
Lloyd Rees

Lloyd Rees, 1987

Michel Lawrence
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 1999

Tim Burstall, Andamooka (filming of the Last of the Knucklemen)
Tim Burstall, Andamooka (filming of the Last of the Knucklemen)
Tim Burstall, Andamooka (filming of the Last of the Knucklemen)

Tim Burstall, Andamooka (filming of the Last of the Knucklemen), c. 1979

Rennie Ellis
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2006

Phillip Gudthaykudthay
Phillip Gudthaykudthay
Phillip Gudthaykudthay

Phillip Gudthaykudthay, 1986

Martin van der Wal
Portrait, inkjet print on rag paper

Purchased 2005

Jeff Carter with his dog Annie Rose at Foxground NSW
Jeff Carter with his dog Annie Rose at Foxground NSW
Jeff Carter with his dog Annie Rose at Foxground NSW

Jeff Carter with his dog Annie Rose at Foxground NSW, 2000 (printed 2017)

Robert McFarlane
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2017

Belinda Giblin
Belinda Giblin
Belinda Giblin

Belinda Giblin, n.d.

Stuart Campbell
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the Estate of Stuart Campbell 2012

Neville Jeffress
Neville Jeffress
Neville Jeffress

Neville Jeffress, 1987

Judy Cassab AO CBE
Portrait, oil on canvas

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Eileen M. Jeffress 2018

Richard Walsh, Editor OZ magazine at the Hunter Street offices
Richard Walsh, Editor OZ magazine at the Hunter Street offices
Richard Walsh, Editor OZ magazine at the Hunter Street offices

Richard Walsh, Editor OZ magazine at the Hunter Street offices, c. 1966 (printed 2021)

Robert McFarlane
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Purchased with funds provided by Tim Bednall 2021

image not online

Geoffrey Tozer, 1966

Rollo Thomson
Portrait, oil on canvas board

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the Estate of Geoffrey Tozer 2012

Little Darlings Youth Portrait Prize finalists

Little Darlings Youth Portrait Prize 2022

Previous exhibition, 2022

Little Darlings is for primary and secondary students, with four separate categories across Kindergarten to Year 12. Responding to the theme ‘identity’, students painted, drew, photographed, printed or combined all of these to make their portrait.

Martin Sharp
Martin Sharp
Martin Sharp

Martin Sharp, 1986

Garry Shead
Portrait, oil on canvas

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2004
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

Blue Easel with Jack Drawing, 1996-1999

The man behind the art

Magazine article by Giles Auty, 2002

Giles Auty introduces British painter John Wonnacott who will talk at the National Portrait Gallery on 2 November 2002.

The mahi-mahi, 2019 Rob Palmer

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2020

Previous exhibition, 2020

The exhibition is selected from a national field of entries, reflecting the distinctive vision of Australia's aspiring and professional portrait photographers and the unique nature of their subjects.

Elle Macpherson

Australian Visit

Previous exhibition, 2006

The exhibition will include works of art from the NPG Canberra's permanent collection with some inward loans and aims to highlight the achievements of notable Australians.

One hundred days at 7pm 2015 by Fiona McMonagle

Self-effacing

Magazine article by Michael Wardell, 2016

Michael Wardell samples the fare in the University of Queensland National Self-portrait Prize.

‘Untitled’ - Yellow Kangaroo Paw, 2008 by Christian Thompson

The 'I' in Indigenous art

Magazine article by Jane Raffan, 2013

Jane Raffan examines unique styles of Indigenous portraiture that challenge traditional Western concepts of the artform.

Writing on the Wall, 2019 Dr Christian Thompson AO

To arrive at hope

NPPP 2020 exhibition essay
General content

Penelope Grist, National Photographic Portrait Prize judge and curator, introduces the 2020 Prize.

Miles from nowhere, 2008 (printed 2014) from the Games of consequence series 2008 Polixeni Papapetrou

Mother’s muse

Magazine article by Inga Walton, 2020

Inga Walton traces the poignant path of photographer Polixeni Papapetrou, revealed in the NGV’s summer retrospective.

Mark McManus as Will by Mark Strizic

In and out of focus

Magazine article by Gael Newton, 2017

Gael Newton looks at Australian photography, film and the sixties through the novel lens of Mark Strizic.

Me

Donated duo

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2009

Dr Sarah Engledow writes about the gift of two striking paintings by the Australian artist Ken Done AM.

Self-portrait, 2015 by Rod McNicol

A spectral sentience

Magazine article by Aimee Board, 2019

Aimee Board reveals method, motivation and mortality in the portraiture of Rod McNicol.

Portfolio of 54 portraits compiled by Queen Victoria, 1859–1861 by John Jabez Edwin Mayall, Camille Silvy, Frances Day and William Bambridge

Queen of cartes

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2019

Joanna Gilmour discusses the role of the carte de visite in portraiture’s democratisation, and its harnessing by Victoria, the world’s first media monarch.

Marcia Langton

The art of multiplicity

Magazine article by Meredith Hughes, 2019

Meredith Hughes explores a key Portrait Gallery work, emerging into the infinite iterations of identity.

Mary (or Diana) Croker, mat woman, Colchester, 1823 by John Dempsey

Unknown drawer

Magazine article by Dr David Hansen, 2017

Dempsey’s People curator David Hansen chronicles a research tale replete with serendipity, adventure and Tasmanian tigers.

Dave Graney

Naked nostalgia

Magazine article by Penelope Grist, 2016

Penelope Grist reminisces about the halcyon days of a print icon, before the infusion of the internet’s shades of grey.

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.

Trevor Jamieson, 2016 by Brett Canet-Gibson

The more things change...

NPPP 2017 exhibition essay
General content

Dr Sarah Engledow, National Photographic Portrait Prize judge and curator, introduces the 2017 Prize.

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.

Dr Anne Sanders

Less than six degrees of separation

Lecture, 28 May 2011
General content

Dr Anne Sanders NPG Curatorial Researcher investigated the lives of the pioneering psychologists whose portraits are featured in Inner Worlds.

© 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