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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.

Betty Churcher

Tribute

Betty Churcher
Magazine article, 2015

Betty Churcher AO (1931–2015), gallery director, author, painter and lecturer, was educated in Brisbane before studying art in London.

Betty Churcher

Betty Churcher

In their own words
In their own words

Recorded 2014

Betty Burstall

Betty Burstall

In their own words
In their own words

Recorded 1973

Betty Churcher

'Blockbuster Betty'
Portrait story

Betty Churcher discusses her career as the Director of the National Gallery of Australia.

Betty Cuthbert
Betty Cuthbert
Betty Cuthbert

Betty Cuthbert, 1955 (printed 2003)

Ern McQuillan OAM
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2003

hey, Betty (Portrait of Betty Churcher)
hey, Betty (Portrait of Betty Churcher)
hey, Betty (Portrait of Betty Churcher)

hey, Betty (Portrait of Betty Churcher), 1990

Davida Allen
Portrait, oil on plywood

Gift of the artist 2004. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

Betty Burstall
Betty Burstall
Betty Burstall

Betty Burstall, 1945

Arthur Boyd AC OBE
Portrait, oil on canvas

Purchased 1998

Betty Churcher

Betty Churcher

About Face article

The National Portrait Gallery mourns the loss of our colleague and friend Betty Churcher, AO.

Betty Churcher
Betty Churcher
Betty Churcher

Betty Churcher, 2008

Adam Knott
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Purchased 2013

Betty Churcher
Betty Churcher
Betty Churcher

Betty Churcher, 1994

Anne Zahalka
Portrait, ilfochrome photograph on paper

Gift of the artist 2021

Betty Cuthbert
Betty Cuthbert
Betty Cuthbert

Betty Cuthbert, 2002

Andrew Daly
Portrait, oil on canvas

Commissioned with funds from the Basil Bressler Bequest 2002

Preparatory study for Betty Cuthbert
Preparatory study for Betty Cuthbert
Preparatory study for Betty Cuthbert

Preparatory study for Betty Cuthbert, 2002

Andrew Daly
Portrait, pencil on paper

Commissioned with funds from the Basil Bressler Bequest 2002

Preparatory study for Betty Cuthbert
Preparatory study for Betty Cuthbert
Preparatory study for Betty Cuthbert

Preparatory study for Betty Cuthbert, 2002

Andrew Daly
Portrait, pencil on paper

Commissioned with funds from the Basil Bressler Bequest 2002

Preparatory study for Betty Cuthbert
Preparatory study for Betty Cuthbert
Preparatory study for Betty Cuthbert

Preparatory study for Betty Cuthbert, 2002

Andrew Daly
Portrait, pencil on paper

Commissioned with funds from the Basil Bressler Bequest 2002

Betty Muffler
Betty Muffler
Betty Muffler

Betty Muffler, 2021

Robert Fielding
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Purchased with funds provided by the Annual Appeal for Contemporary Australian Photography 2022

Betty Churcher, 2008 by Dean Golja

Betty Churcher, 2008

by Dean Golja
Image
Betty Kuntiwa Pumani
Betty Kuntiwa Pumani
Betty Kuntiwa Pumani

Betty Kuntiwa Pumani, 2021

Robert Fielding
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Purchased with funds provided by the Annual Appeal for Contemporary Australian Photography 2022

'The portraits of Captain Cook'

An interview with Betty Churcher
Portrait story

Betty Churcher describes the creation of the portrait of Captain James Cook in the National Portrait Gallery.

Marcie Elizabeth Wilson
Marcie Elizabeth Wilson
Marcie Elizabeth Wilson

Marcie Elizabeth Wilson, 1922

George Lambert
Portrait, pencil on paper

Gift of the Simpson family in memory of Caroline Simpson OAM 2008. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Harbour road, 2010 by Gibson Nolte

Harbour road, 2010

by Gibson Nolte
Image
Rhys Jones
Rhys Jones
Rhys Jones

Rhys Jones, 1991

Rhodri G. Davies
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Betty Meehan 2013

Self portrait

Mysterious eyes

Arthur Boyd portraits from 1945
Previous exhibition, 2016

Boyd’s self-portrait at age 25 is joined by his equally emotive portraits of those around him.

Betty Burstall

Arthur Boyd Portraits

Previous exhibition, 1999

This is the first in a series of National Portrait Gallery exhibitions to survey the portraits painted by artists who are not thought of, primarily, as portrait painters

Betty Cuthbert

Hop, skip, shoot

Magazine article by Simon Elliott, 2004

Former NPG Deputy Director, Simon Elliott talks with Ern McQuillan about his life and career as a sports photographer.

Dressing for dinner
Dressing for dinner
Dressing for dinner

Dressing for dinner, 1992

Davida Allen
Portrait, oil on plywood

Gift of the artist 1999. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Sammy Dodd

2022 Annual Appeal

Annual Appeal

In 2022 the Annual Appeal was focussed on Mayatjara by Robert Fielding, a series of 24 photographs of Elders of the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara community.

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

Peter Elliott
Peter Elliott
Peter Elliott

Peter Elliott, 1964

Jon Molvig
Portrait, oil on masonite

Gift of Richard Elliott 2016. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Chris Wallace-Crabbe

2014-15 Acquisition Fund

Annual Appeal

Kristin Headlam's portrait of Chris Wallace-Crabbe was acquired with the support of the Circle of Friends in 2014.

Reg Livermore, Pitt Street, Sydney
Reg Livermore, Pitt Street, Sydney
Reg Livermore, Pitt Street, Sydney

Reg Livermore, Pitt Street, Sydney, 1965 (printed 2020)

Robert McFarlane
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Purchased 2020

David Williamson
David Williamson
David Williamson

David Williamson, 1974 (printed 2001)

Gordon Glenn
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Purchased 2001

Betty Bryant, c. 1939

The life of Bryant

Magazine article by Tenille Hands, 2018

Tenille Hands explores a portrait prize gifted to the National Screen and Sound Archive.

Johnny O'Keefe

Making Portraits

Five Years of National Portrait Gallery Commissions
Previous exhibition, 2004

The considered matching of artist to subject has produced an amazing collection of unique and original works in the permanent collection of the National Portrait Gallery

Cormac and Callum, 2008 by Ingvar Kenne

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2009

Previous exhibition, 2009

In its second year at the National Portrait Gallery, and for the first time touring to other venues, the National Photographic Portrait Prize 2009 continues to present surprising perspectives on the nature of contemporary portrait photography.

Betty Muffler

Unpacked

Magazine article by Rebecca Ray, 2022

Rebecca Ray reflects on Robert Fielding’s Mayatjara series, honouring songlines and intergenerational knowedge.

Miss Alesandra, 2010

The more things change

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2011

National Photographic Portrait Prize curator, Sarah Engledow, finds reward in a difficult task and ultimately uncovers the essence of portraiture.

James, Rebecca and Sam Mapu

Time and light

In Gallery Seven
Previous exhibition, 2023

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.

Arthur Boyd's studio

Boyd to man

Magazine article by Dr Christopher Chapman, 2016

Christopher Chapman looks at influences and insight in the formative years of Arthur Boyd.

Woman with Fair Hair and Pink Cardigan, 1949 by John Perceval.

The family scene

Magazine article, 2016

Traudi Allen discovers sensitivity, humour and fine draughtsmanship in the portraiture of John Perceval.

Acacius (Stigmata) - Tony Carden

Stigma stigmata

Magazine article by Angus Trumble, 2015

Angus Trumble provides poignant context for Aña Wojak’s portrait of Tony Carden.

Patrick Ryan, 1968 by Mark Strizic

The silent partner

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2015

One half of the team that was Eltham Films left scarcely a trace in the written historical record, but survives in a vivid portrait.

Captain W Kinghorne

The bright-eyed Mariner

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2008
A new colonial portrait brings a zealous captain near.
Jessie Street

Worth her salt

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2009

Jerrold Nathan's portrait of Jessie Street shows the elegant side of a many-faceted lady.

image not online

Portrait Donors

Listed by year
Honour board
The Right Honourable Sir Ninian Stephen KGAK GCMG GCVO KBE QC, 2006 by Rick Amor

Prima facie

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2019

Sarah Engledow casts a judicious eye over portraits in the Victorian Bar’s Peter O’Callaghan QC Portrait Gallery.

© 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