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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.

Self portrait
Self portrait
Self portrait

Self portrait, 1858-1860

George Fordyce Story
Portrait, albumen silver photograph

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds provided by Graham Smith 2009

'The Australian Cricketers' from The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News June 1882, page 2 Unknown artist Publisher Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News

'The Australian Cricketers' from The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News June 1882, page 2

Unknown artist Publisher Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News
Image
'The Australian Cricketers' from The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News June 1882
'The Australian Cricketers' from The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News June 1882
'The Australian Cricketers' from The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News June 1882

'The Australian Cricketers' from The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News June 1882, 1882

an unknown artist
Portrait, engravings on paper

Purchased 2009

George Judah Cohen
George Judah Cohen
George Judah Cohen

George Judah Cohen, 1925

George Lambert
Portrait, oil on canvas

Gift of the National Australia Bank 2002

George Gittoes - last sitting before Peshawar
George Gittoes - last sitting before Peshawar
George Gittoes - last sitting before Peshawar

George Gittoes - last sitting before Peshawar, 2007

George Fetting
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2008

George Lambert

'Self Portrait with Gladioli'
Portrait story

An examination of the life and times of George Lambert through the gesture and pose in his self portrait. 

George Duncan

George Duncan

In their own words
In their own words

Recorded 1965

George Bell

George Bell

In their own words
In their own words

Recorded 1965

image not online

George Johnston

In their own words
In their own words

Recorded 1964

image not online

George Finey

In their own words
In their own words

Recorded 1967

Emmanuel at bedtime, 2011 by George Mifsud

Emmanuel at bedtime, 2011

by George Mifsud
Image
Blue Mountains escape, 2017 by George Voulgaropoulos

Blue Mountains escape, 2017

by George Voulgaropoulos
Image

"The determined" Self portrait, 2002

George Foxhill
Portrait, oil and resin on canvas

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2007

Emma Hamilton, c. 1785 George Romney

Emma Hamilton

George Romney
Image
Self portrait with gladioli
Self portrait with gladioli
Self portrait with gladioli

Self portrait with gladioli, 1922

George Lambert
Portrait, oil on canvas

Gift of John Schaeffer AO 2003. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Stephen and Angelo, 2021 George Fetting

Stephen and Angelo

George Fetting
Image
George Andronicus
George Andronicus
George Andronicus

George Andronicus, 1985 (printed 2018)

Gary Ede
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Purchased with funds provided by Wayne Williams 2018

Sir George Coles
Sir George Coles
Sir George Coles

Sir George Coles, 1935

W B McInnes
Portrait, oil on canvas

Gift of Coles Myer Ltd 2002. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

George Moore
George Moore
George Moore

George Moore, 1957

Ern McQuillan OAM
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2003

George Lambert in London
George Lambert in London
George Lambert in London

George Lambert in London, c. 1912

Alf Vincent
Portrait, pen and ink, brush and ink on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2010

George Milpurrurru
George Milpurrurru
George Milpurrurru

George Milpurrurru, 1986

Martin van der Wal
Portrait, inkjet print on rag paper

Purchased 2005

George Highland
George Highland
George Highland

George Highland, 1925

Tom Glover
Portrait, pen and ink on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2012

George Chow Bow
George Chow Bow
George Chow Bow

George Chow Bow, 2017

Pamela See
Portrait, papercut silhouette drawing

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2019

George Mealmaker
George Mealmaker
George Mealmaker

George Mealmaker, 1798 (printed c. 1838)

John Kay
Portrait, etching on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2015

William Morris, 1870 George Frederic Watts

William Morris

George Frederic Watts
Image
Self portrait
Self portrait
Self portrait

Self portrait, 1846

George French Angas
Portrait, lithograph on paper

Purchased 1999

Lee Lin Chin
Lee Lin Chin
Lee Lin Chin

Lee Lin Chin, 2004 (printed 2021)

George Fetting
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Gift of the artist 2021

Federal Statistician Knibbs
Federal Statistician Knibbs
Federal Statistician Knibbs

Federal Statistician Knibbs, 1919

David Low
Portrait, ink and gouache on paper

Purchased 2011

George Reid paperweight
George Reid paperweight
George Reid paperweight

George Reid paperweight, c. 1910

unknown artist
Portrait, painted cast iron

Purchased 2006

George Reid paperweight
George Reid paperweight
George Reid paperweight

George Reid paperweight, c. 1910

unknown artist
Portrait, painted cast iron

Purchased 2001

Duke of Cornwall and York (later King George V)
Duke of Cornwall and York (later King George V)
Duke of Cornwall and York (later King George V)

Duke of Cornwall and York (later King George V), 1903

H. Walter Barnett
Portrait, platinum photograph

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Peter Roberts 2015

Duke of Cornwall and York (later King George V)
Duke of Cornwall and York (later King George V)
Duke of Cornwall and York (later King George V)

Duke of Cornwall and York (later King George V), 1903

H. Walter Barnett
Portrait, platinum photograph

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Peter Roberts 2015

George Spartels
George Spartels
George Spartels

George Spartels, early 1970s

Ivan Gaal
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2019

image not online

George Langley, 1918

James McBey
Portrait, conte on paper

Gift of Pat Lesslie (née Langley), in memory of George Langley and Rob Lesslie 2015

George Sands
George Sands
George Sands

George Sands, c. 1940s

an unknown artist
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Purchased 2011

George Duncan
George Duncan
George Duncan

George Duncan, c. 1940

Alison Rehfisch
Portrait, oil on hessian laid on cardboard

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Mrs Margaret Adams 1999

George Molnar
George Molnar
George Molnar

George Molnar, 1983

Judy Cassab AO CBE
Portrait, oil on canvas laid on masonite

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2013

George Miller
George Miller
George Miller

George Miller, 2002 (printed 2004)

Karin Catt
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2005

Portrait of George Selth Coppin
Portrait of George Selth Coppin
Portrait of George Selth Coppin

Portrait of George Selth Coppin, c. 1895-1899

Tom Roberts
Portrait, oil on cedar panel

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds donated by Mary Isabel Murphy 2004

George Johnston, Fleet Street, London
George Johnston, Fleet Street, London
George Johnston, Fleet Street, London

George Johnston, Fleet Street, London, c. 1952 (printed 2000)

David Moore
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
The series 'David Moore: From Face to Face' was acquired as a gift of the artist and with financial assistance from Timothy Fairfax AC and L Gordon Darling AC CMG 2001

Sir George Grey
Sir George Grey
Sir George Grey

Sir George Grey, c. 1845

Theresa Walker
Portrait, cast wax

Purchased 1999

George Tjungurrayi
George Tjungurrayi
George Tjungurrayi

George Tjungurrayi, 2002

Matthÿs Gerber
Portrait, oil on canvas

Gift of Pamela Hansford 2007. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

George Lambert
George Lambert
George Lambert

George Lambert, c. 1929

Annie May Moore
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2015

George Tjungurrayi
George Tjungurrayi
George Tjungurrayi

George Tjungurrayi, 2007

Greg Weight
Portrait, inkjet print on cotton rag paper

Gift of Patrick Corrigan AM 2020. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

image not online

Cardinal George Pell, 2007 (printed 2012)

David Roberts
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2012

Sir George Fisher
Sir George Fisher
Sir George Fisher

Sir George Fisher, n.d.

Louis Kahan AO
Portrait, pen and ink on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Mrs Lily Kahan 2006
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

George Gittoes
George Gittoes
George Gittoes

George Gittoes, 1991

Greg Weight
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Gift of Patrick Corrigan AM 2004. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

George Bell
George Bell
George Bell

George Bell, 1951

Louis Kahan AO
Portrait, pen and ink on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 1998

George Barrington
George Barrington
George Barrington

George Barrington, 1820

John Chapman
Portrait, engraving on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2010

George Gittoes
George Gittoes
George Gittoes

George Gittoes, 1999

Greg Weight
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Gift of Patrick Corrigan AM 2004. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

George Nicholas
George Nicholas
George Nicholas

George Nicholas, 1955

Paul Fitzgerald AM
Portrait, oil on canvas

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Hilton Nicholas AM OBE 2010

George Michael Prendergast
George Michael Prendergast
George Michael Prendergast

George Michael Prendergast, 1926

Tom Glover
Portrait, pen and ink on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2012

Reverend George Brown DD
Reverend George Brown DD
Reverend George Brown DD

Reverend George Brown DD, 1905

Crown Studios
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on studio card inside studio folder

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Nancy Joyce 2014

Duke of Cornwall and York (later King George V)
Duke of Cornwall and York (later King George V)
Duke of Cornwall and York (later King George V)

Duke of Cornwall and York (later King George V), 1901

Johnstone O'Shannessy & Co
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on original studio backing card

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Peter Roberts 2015

Making Sense of Place #4 (Portrait of Professor George Seddon)
Making Sense of Place #4 (Portrait of Professor George Seddon)
Making Sense of Place #4 (Portrait of Professor George Seddon)

Making Sense of Place #4 (Portrait of Professor George Seddon), 2007

Peteris Ciemitis
Portrait, watercolour and pastel on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Marli Wallace 2010
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

Self portrait with gladioli

Courage, Self-analysis and Skill

Magazine article by Andrew Sayers AM, 2002

The story behind George Lambert's Self-portrait with Gladioli.

Self Portrait with fruit, 2004

Tender tragedies

Magazine article by Michael Desmond, 2006

George Foxhill's self portraits were the subject of a small focus display at the National Portrait Gallery in 2006.

Portrait of a beautiful mind - Adam Cullen, Blue Mountains
Portrait of a beautiful mind - Adam Cullen, Blue Mountains
Portrait of a beautiful mind - Adam Cullen, Blue Mountains

Portrait of a beautiful mind - Adam Cullen, Blue Mountains, 2005 (printed 2019)

George Fetting
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Purchased with funds provided by Alan Dodge AM & Neil Archibald 2019

John Waters
John Waters
John Waters

John Waters, 2013

George Fetting
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Gift of the artist 2015

Oodgeroo of the Noonuccal Tribe
Oodgeroo of the Noonuccal Tribe
Oodgeroo of the Noonuccal Tribe

Oodgeroo of the Noonuccal Tribe, 1992 (printed 2009)

George Fetting
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Gift of the artist 2010

Robyn Archer
Robyn Archer
Robyn Archer

Robyn Archer, 1990

George Gittoes AM
Portrait, oil on canvas

Gift of Robyn Archer AO 2012. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Gulpilil (David) Dreaming - Kakadu 2006
Gulpilil (David) Dreaming - Kakadu 2006
Gulpilil (David) Dreaming - Kakadu 2006

Gulpilil (David) Dreaming - Kakadu 2006, 2006

George Fetting
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Gift of the artist 2008

Errol Flynn
Errol Flynn
Errol Flynn

Errol Flynn, 1938 (printed 2008)

George Hurrell
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Gift of Michael Desmond 2012

Henry Fullwood (Uncle Remus)
Henry Fullwood (Uncle Remus)
Henry Fullwood (Uncle Remus)

Henry Fullwood (Uncle Remus), 1919

George Lambert
Portrait, pencil on paper

Gift of Denis Savill 2017. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Portrait of Norman Lindsay as a student
Portrait of Norman Lindsay as a student
Portrait of Norman Lindsay as a student

Portrait of Norman Lindsay as a student, c. 1896

George Coates
Portrait, oil on cardboard

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2008

Self portrait with gladioli

Facing Facts

Magazine article by Andrew Sayers AM, 2003

Former NPG Director, Andrew Sayers describes the 1922 Self-portrait with Gladioli by George Lambert.

Tony Bilson
Tony Bilson
Tony Bilson

Tony Bilson, c. 2005

George Fetting
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Tony Bilson 2008

Andrew Gaze
Andrew Gaze
Andrew Gaze

Andrew Gaze, 2018

George Fetting
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Commissioned with funds provided by Trent Birkett 2018

Love City; George Gittoes on hilltop 2013

Man of war

Magazine article by Tedi Bills, 2016

Tedi Bills talks to George Gittoes about canvassing conflict.

Self portrait with gladioli

Money and swat

Magazine article by Andrew Sayers AM, 2007

Andrew Sayers discusses the real cost of George Lambert's Self portrait with gladioli 1922.

Reverend William Singleton
Reverend William Singleton
Reverend William Singleton

Reverend William Singleton, 1866

George Perry
Portrait, carte de visite photograph

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2013

Anna Frances Walker
Anna Frances Walker
Anna Frances Walker

Anna Frances Walker, c. 1865

George Perry
Portrait, albumen print photograph, carte de visite format on paper on card

Purchased 2022

Charles Windeyer
Charles Windeyer
Charles Windeyer

Charles Windeyer, c. 1846-1849

George B. Goodman
Portrait, daguerreotype

Gift of the Windeyer family 2009

Reverend John Williams
Reverend John Williams
Reverend John Williams

Reverend John Williams, c. 1837

George Baxter
Portrait, wood engraving (Baxter print) on paper

Purchased 2012

George Gregan
George Gregan
George Gregan

George Gregan, 1999 (printed 2001)

Peter Brew-Bevan
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Purchased 2001

George Foletta
George Foletta
George Foletta

George Foletta,

Sir William Dargie CBE
Portrait, oil on canvas

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the Estate of Alice Myra Foletta 2006

Portrait of George Selth Coppin

The Multifarious Career of George Selth Coppin

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2004

George Selth Coppin (1819-1906) comedian, impresario and entrepreneur, was a driving force of the early Australian theatre.

George Selth Coppin
George Selth Coppin
George Selth Coppin

George Selth Coppin, c. 1863

an unknown artist
Portrait, albumen silver carte de visite

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2010

Mantuwa Tjungarra George
Mantuwa Tjungarra George
Mantuwa Tjungarra George

Mantuwa Tjungarra George, 2021

Robert Fielding
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

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

Sir George Grey, Governor of New Zealand
Sir George Grey, Governor of New Zealand
Sir George Grey, Governor of New Zealand

Sir George Grey, Governor of New Zealand, 1861

William-Wolfe Alais
Portrait, engraving on paper.

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds provided by Ross A Field 2008

A Premier
A Premier
A Premier

A Premier "The New Man" [The Hon. George Briscoe Kerferd], 1874

Tom Durkin, The Weekly Times
Portrait, lithograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2016

George Urquhart (Scotty) Allan
George Urquhart (Scotty) Allan
George Urquhart (Scotty) Allan

George Urquhart (Scotty) Allan, 1954

Max Dupain OBE
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Gift of Danina Dupain Anderson 2018. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Andrew Gaze video: 6 minutes 26 seconds

Andrew Gaze

'Make it fun'
Portrait story

Basketballer Andrew Gaze and photographer George Fetting.

Master of the Hunt
Master of the Hunt
Master of the Hunt

Master of the Hunt "Steady, Gentlemen, Steady!" [Mr George Watson], 1874

Tom Durkin, The Weekly Times
Portrait, lithograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2016

George Barrington, c.1785

Celebrity cutpurse

Magazine article by Dr Grace Blakeley-Carroll, 2010

Grace Carroll discusses the portrait of the late-eighteenth century gentleman pickpocket George Barrington.

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.

A G Stephens
A G Stephens
A G Stephens

A G Stephens, c. 1910 (printed later)

an unknown artist
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2012

Mr and Mrs Case
Mr and Mrs Case
Mr and Mrs Case

Mr and Mrs Case, 1864

Alexander Fox and Co
Portrait, albumen photograph on carte de visite

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2010

Album of portraits of family of William Taylor Macpherson
Album of portraits of family of William Taylor Macpherson
Album of portraits of family of William Taylor Macpherson

Album of portraits of family of William Taylor Macpherson, c. 1880

George S Bryant & Co, Boston
Portrait, 39 tintype photographs in an album

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the family of FW Macpherson 2012

Sir Hubert Wilkins
Sir Hubert Wilkins
Sir Hubert Wilkins

Sir Hubert Wilkins, 1933

Irving Browning
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Purchased 2009

image not online

H.B.G Larkin, 1928

L E. Reynolds
Portrait, pen and ink on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2012

image not online

South Australian Illustrated (Plate 35), 1847

George French Angas, Thomas McLean
Portrait, Lithograph

George Trott (George Henry Stevens (Harry) Trott, member of the 1896 Australian Cricket Team)
George Trott (George Henry Stevens (Harry) Trott, member of the 1896 Australian Cricket Team)
George Trott (George Henry Stevens (Harry) Trott, member of the 1896 Australian Cricket Team)

George Trott (George Henry Stevens (Harry) Trott, member of the 1896 Australian Cricket Team), 1896

H Parker Rolfe
Portrait, albumen photograph on cabinet card

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds provided by L Gordon Darling AC CMG 2014

The sculptor (George Lambert and Arthur Murch)
The sculptor (George Lambert and Arthur Murch)
The sculptor (George Lambert and Arthur Murch)

The sculptor (George Lambert and Arthur Murch), c. 1929

Harold Cazneaux
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Purchased 2015

George Hoyningen-Huene and Jessie the Barmaid
George Hoyningen-Huene and Jessie the Barmaid
George Hoyningen-Huene and Jessie the Barmaid

George Hoyningen-Huene and Jessie the Barmaid, 1937

Max Dupain OBE
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Gift of Danina Dupain Anderson 2021. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Lt. Genrl. the Rt Honble. Sir George Murray G.C.B., G.C.H. &c.
Lt. Genrl. the Rt Honble. Sir George Murray G.C.B., G.C.H. &c.
Lt. Genrl. the Rt Honble. Sir George Murray G.C.B., G.C.H. &c.

Lt. Genrl. the Rt Honble. Sir George Murray G.C.B., G.C.H. &c., 1838

John Cochran after Sir Thomas Lawrence
Portrait, engraving on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2018

George Foletta
George Foletta
George Foletta

George Foletta, n.d.

Dickinson Monteath Studio
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the Estate of Alice Myra Foletta 2006

Sir George Reid
Sir George Reid
Sir George Reid

Sir George Reid, c. 1895

Nelson Illingworth
Portrait, cast plaster, painted

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2016

H.M. King George V at his desk
H.M. King George V at his desk
H.M. King George V at his desk

H.M. King George V at his desk, c. 1921

E.O. Hoppé, Raphael Tuck and Sons Ltd
Portrait, postcard print on card

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2020

Jack Lang
Jack Lang
Jack Lang

Jack Lang, c. 1930-1940

George Finey
Portrait, collage of coloured paper, pencil on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2008

Charles Warman Roberts
Charles Warman Roberts
Charles Warman Roberts

Charles Warman Roberts, 1878

George Baird Shaw
Portrait, watercolour on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the Thoms family 2011

Annie Roberts
Annie Roberts
Annie Roberts

Annie Roberts, 1878

George Baird Shaw
Portrait, watercolour on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Reg, Lesley, Glen and Paul Thoms 2011

Robyn Archer, 2010

Real close

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2012

Peter Ciemitis breached regulations when creating the portrait of the polymath environmental scientist George Seddon.

George Tjungurrayi

Two painters

Magazine article by Dr Christopher Chapman, 2007

Chris Chapman explains how Matthys Gerber bridges the gap between abstraction and portraiture.

Francis Russell Nixon
Francis Russell Nixon
Francis Russell Nixon

Francis Russell Nixon, c. 1845-1855

an unknown artist after George Richmond
Portrait, copperplate engraving, heightened with China white on buff paper

Purchased 2009

Sir Joseph Banks
Sir Joseph Banks
Sir Joseph Banks

Sir Joseph Banks, 1811

William Daniell after George Dance
Portrait, soft ground etching on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2014

The Right Honourable Lord Viscount Melbourne
The Right Honourable Lord Viscount Melbourne
The Right Honourable Lord Viscount Melbourne

The Right Honourable Lord Viscount Melbourne, 1839

Charles Turner after Sir George Hayter
Portrait, mezzotint on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2013

Alexander Dalrymple
Alexander Dalrymple
Alexander Dalrymple

Alexander Dalrymple, 1809

William Daniell after George Dance
Portrait, soft ground etching on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds provided by the Liangis family 2012

Robert Henderson Croll
Robert Henderson Croll
Robert Henderson Croll

Robert Henderson Croll, 1927

Frederick George Reynolds
Portrait, oil on canvas on board

Gift of Grietje Croll in memory of her late husband Robert Devereaux Croll and with the endorsement of his daughter Helen Croll 2013. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Australian Cricket (George John Bonnor)
Australian Cricket (George John Bonnor)
Australian Cricket (George John Bonnor)

Australian Cricket (George John Bonnor), 1884

Carlo Pellegrini, Vanity Fair Magazine
Portrait, chromolithograph on paper

Purchased 2013

George Burarrwanga, Warumpi Band
George Burarrwanga, Warumpi Band
George Burarrwanga, Warumpi Band

George Burarrwanga, Warumpi Band, 1984 (printed 2021)

Juno Gemes
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Purchased 2021

Sir George Ferguson Bowen
Sir George Ferguson Bowen
Sir George Ferguson Bowen

Sir George Ferguson Bowen, c. 1873

Bardwell's Royal Studio
Portrait, carte de visite photograph

Purchased with funds provided by Graham Smith 2009

Vice-Royalty.
Vice-Royalty.
Vice-Royalty.

Vice-Royalty. "A Quoter of Poetry" [George Bowen, Governor of Victoria], 1873

Tom Durkin, The Weekly Times
Portrait, lithograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2018

Warumpi Band, Sydney Opera House
Warumpi Band, Sydney Opera House
Warumpi Band, Sydney Opera House

Warumpi Band, Sydney Opera House, 1984 (printed 2021)

Juno Gemes
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Purchased 2021

Victor Trumper
Victor Trumper
Victor Trumper

Victor Trumper, 1905

George Beldam, Sun Electric Engraving Company
Portrait, photogravure on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds provided by L Gordon Darling AC CMG 2009

Professor George Dracoulis
Professor George Dracoulis
Professor George Dracoulis

Professor George Dracoulis, 1996

Robin Wallace-Crabbe, Dianne Fogwell
Portrait, etching

Gift of the artist 2000. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

David Brown Dignam [and] George Barrington drawn from the life
David Brown Dignam [and] George Barrington drawn from the life
David Brown Dignam [and] George Barrington drawn from the life

David Brown Dignam [and] George Barrington drawn from the life, 1777

an unknown artist, The London Magazine
Portrait, copperplate engraving on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2016

The Right Honourable Charles Lord Hawkesbury, Chancellor of the Duchy and County Palatine of Lancaster
The Right Honourable Charles Lord Hawkesbury, Chancellor of the Duchy and County Palatine of Lancaster
The Right Honourable Charles Lord Hawkesbury, Chancellor of the Duchy and County Palatine of Lancaster

The Right Honourable Charles Lord Hawkesbury, Chancellor of the Duchy and County Palatine of Lancaster, 1788

John Murphy after George Romney
Portrait, mezzotint on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2014

The Conciliation, 1840 by Benjamin Duterrau

The art of conciliation

Magazine article by Gareth Knapman, 2017

Gareth Knapman explores the politics and opportunism behind the portraits of Tasmania’s Black War.

Australia v England
Australia v England
Australia v England

Australia v England, 1887

Goupil & Cie after Sir Robert Ponsonby Staples, George Barrable
Portrait, photogravure on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2009

The Right Honourable Viscount Keppel, Admiral of the White Squadron
The Right Honourable Viscount Keppel, Admiral of the White Squadron
The Right Honourable Viscount Keppel, Admiral of the White Squadron

The Right Honourable Viscount Keppel, Admiral of the White Squadron, 1802

William Ridley, Bunney & Gold after George Romney
Portrait, engraving on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Ted and Gina Gregg 2012

Major General Paul Cullen

All in the Family

Magazine article by Andrew Sayers AM, 2002

Portrait launch of Major-General Paul Cullen AC CBE DSO and Bar ED (Rtd) and George Judah Cohen.

Statesmen No. 83
Statesmen No. 83
Statesmen No. 83

Statesmen No. 83 "By birth a man, by inheritance a Marquis and a Governor by his Sovereign's favour, he fills all his positions with credit" (Marquis of Normanby), 1871

Carlo Pellegrini, Vanity Fair Magazine
Portrait, chromolithograph on paper

Gift of Mr Ronald Walker 2001

The Memoirs of George Barrington
The Memoirs of George Barrington
The Memoirs of George Barrington

The Memoirs of George Barrington, 1790

an unknown artist, J Bird & Simmonds
Portrait, octavo in fours, with an engraved frontispiece

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds provided by Ross A Field 2008

Sir George Young Kt, Admiral of the White Squadron
Sir George Young Kt, Admiral of the White Squadron
Sir George Young Kt, Admiral of the White Squadron

Sir George Young Kt, Admiral of the White Squadron, 1814

Blood, Joyce Gold Naval Chronicle Office after John Smart
Portrait, engraving on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Ted and Gina Gregg 2012

New South Wales (Earl of Jersey Victor Albert George Child-Villiers)
New South Wales (Earl of Jersey Victor Albert George Child-Villiers)
New South Wales (Earl of Jersey Victor Albert George Child-Villiers)

New South Wales (Earl of Jersey Victor Albert George Child-Villiers), 1890

Sir Leslie Ward, Vanity Fair Magazine
Portrait, chromolithograph on paper

Gift of Mr Ronald Walker 2001

Western Australia (Sir Frederick Bedford)
Western Australia (Sir Frederick Bedford)
Western Australia (Sir Frederick Bedford)

Western Australia (Sir Frederick Bedford), 1903

Sir Leslie Ward, Vanity Fair Magazine
Portrait, chromolithograph on paper

Purchased 2015

The First Ministry under Responsible Government in New South Wales
The First Ministry under Responsible Government in New South Wales
The First Ministry under Responsible Government in New South Wales

The First Ministry under Responsible Government in New South Wales, 1856

Freeman Brothers
Portrait, albumen silver photograph

Purchased with funds provided by L Gordon Darling AC CMG 2009

Self portrait

Profile of a marriage

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2006

Dr Sarah Engledow explores the lives of Sir George Grey and his wife Eliza, the subjects of a pair of wax medallions in the National Portrait Gallery's collection.

George Rose
George Rose
George Rose

George Rose, 1811

Giovanni Vendramini, T Cadell & W Davies after William Evans, Sir William Beechey
Portrait, engraving on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2012

Woburn Sheepshearing
Woburn Sheepshearing
Woburn Sheepshearing

Woburn Sheepshearing, 1811

Thomas Morris, M N. Bates, Joseph C. Stadler after George Garrard
Portrait, aquatint with stipple and etching and engraving, hand coloured on chine colle on paper laid down on cotton stretched over wooden strainer

Purchased 2018

William Hodges RA
William Hodges RA
William Hodges RA

William Hodges RA, 1808 (dated 1810)

William Daniell after George Dance
Portrait, etching on paper

Purchased 2010

William Westall
William Westall
William Westall

William Westall, 1854

William Daniell after George Dance
Portrait, etching on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2011

George and Jemima Billet with family
George and Jemima Billet with family
George and Jemima Billet with family

George and Jemima Billet with family, c. 1852

C.H.T. Costantini
Portrait, watercolour on paper

Purchased 2016

The Sands Brothers
The Sands Brothers
The Sands Brothers

The Sands Brothers, c. 1940s

an unknown artist
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Purchased 2011

Professor Gilbert Murray, OM, Oxford
Professor Gilbert Murray, OM, Oxford
Professor Gilbert Murray, OM, Oxford

Professor Gilbert Murray, OM, Oxford, c. 1957 (printed 2000)

David Moore
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2001. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.
The series 'David Moore: From Face to Face' was acquired as a gift of the artist and with financial assistance from Timothy Fairfax AC and L Gordon Darling AC CMG 2001.

image not online

Set of 129 Royal Christmas Cards and three miscellaneous items, 1951-2001

an unknown artist
Portrait, offset print (tipped in), letter press (greeting), pen and ink (signature), embossed (royal emblem) on cardboard

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Patricia Tryon Macdonald 2005
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

The Chalk Rainbow by Deborah Kelly and Gwynneth Jones

Story Time

The Chalk Rainbow
Event, Wednesday 27 September

Celebrate difference and diversity by listening to a reading of The Chalk Rainbow by Deborah Kelly and Gwynneth Jones. After hearing this story about Zane who has Autism, you’ll have the chance to make a colourful creative response.

Death mask of George Melville courtesy of National Trust of Australia (Victoria), Old Melbourne Gaol Collection

A colourful story from Sideshow Alley

Infamy, the macabre & the portrait
About Face article

From infamous bushranger to oyster shop display, curator Jo Gilmour explores the life of George Melville.

Behind your eyes, between your ears

Brainwave interactive artwork by George Khut
Previous exhibition, 2016

As the subject changes the quality of their attention and mental focus, the portrait transforms, both appearance and sound.

The Chalk Rainbow by Deborah Kelly and Gwynneth Jones

Story Time Online

The Chalk Rainbow
Event, Wednesday 4 October

Celebrate difference and diversity by listening to a reading of The Chalk Rainbow by Deborah Kelly and Gwynneth Jones. After hearing this story about Zane who has Autism, you’ll have the chance to make a colourful creative response.

George and Donny, 2008 by Justin Spiers

George and Donny, 2008

by Justin Spiers
Image
Self Portrait with fruit, 2004

George Foxhill

Self Portraits
Previous exhibition, 2006

Foxhill's portraits are more concerned with describing an emotional and psychological state than the surface topography of the human face.

David Williamson

The Story So Far...

Magazine article by Simon Elliott, 2002

A reflection on the National Portrait Gallery's first four years.

Self portrait with gladioli

Virtual Highlight Tour

Oh George
Event, Tuesday 31 October

Join our Senior Curator Joanna Gilmour as she explores the life of celebrated portraitist George Lambert. You’ll be glad(ioli) you did.

HM Queen Elizabeth II

Portrait story

Magazine article by Polly Borland, 2022

Photographer Polly Borland on capturing Queen Elizabeth II.

Kevin Rudd

An Australian story

Magazine article by Hon. Kevin Rudd, 2009

In his speech launching the new National Portrait Gallery building on 3 December 2008, then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd set the Gallery in a national and historical context.

Marcia Langton

The story of us

Magazine article by Penelope Grist, 2022

Gallery directors Karen Quinlan and Tony Ellwood talk to Penelope Grist about the NPG and NGV collaborative exhibition, Who Are You: Australian Portraiture.

Portrait of Dr Johann Reinhold Forster and his son George Forster
Portrait of Dr Johann Reinhold Forster and his son George Forster
Portrait of Dr Johann Reinhold Forster and his son George Forster

Portrait of Dr Johann Reinhold Forster and his son George Forster, c. 1780

Jean Francois Rigaud
Portrait, oil on canvas

Purchased with funds provided by the Liangis family, the Ian Potter Foundation and John Schaeffer AO 2009

Hugh Jackman

Portrait story

Magazine article by Vincent Fantauzzo, 2022

Artist Vincent Fantauzzo on dyslexia, connection and virtual sittings with Hugh Jackman.

Andrew Gaze

Andrew Gaze, 2018

by George Fetting
General content

Commissioned with funds provided by Trent Birkett 2018

Lord George Stuart, 9th Seigneur of Aubigny, c. 1638 Sir Anthony van Dyck

Lord George Stuart, 9th Seigneur of Aubigny

Sir Anthony van Dyck
Image

The Bare story

General content

Curator, Penny Grist, reveals how this exhibition came to be

Family portrait, 2021 Fiona Bowring

Family portrait

Fiona Bowring
Image
Ellie Cole

Portrait Story

Magazine article by Ellie Cole OAM, 2022

For me, swimming was particularly special because it was the only sport that I could participate in as a kid where I could take my prosthetic leg off, jump in the water, and I could be the same as all the other kids.

Abigail Varney

The inside story

General content

The photographers reveal the technical side of their work and reflect on changes in their profession. Now everyone has a camera in their pocket, is everyone a photographer? What is it like to sustain a career as a photographer in the entertainment industry? How do you work with celebrity subjects, negotiate the complex logistics of big shoots, and create captivating portraits under pressure?

Drought story, 2020 Joel B. Pratley

Drought story

Joel B. Pratley
Image
My story, 2019 Mohammad D and Sam Biddle

My story, 2019

Mohammad D and Sam Biddle
Image
Polly Borland

Polly Borland

'Everyone wants to know the story about the Queen'
Portrait story

Australian photographer, Polly Borland, describes the hectic experience of photographing Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The Story Teller (Noni Hazlehurst)
The Story Teller (Noni Hazlehurst)
The Story Teller (Noni Hazlehurst)

The Story Teller (Noni Hazlehurst), 2017

Jaq Grantford
Portrait, oil on canvas

Gift of the artist 2022

Dayannah, 2018 by Raphaela Rosella

Dayannah, 2018

by Raphaela Rosella
Image
image not online

The Home of the Blizzard: being the story of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911-1914 (2 volumes), 1915

Sir Douglas Mawson Kt OBE FRS, Heinemann, London
Portrait, two volumes illustrated with colour and black and white plates, three folding maps

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2018

Sir George Grey

Nothing black and white about the Greys

It's Complicated

Marriage: a prolonged disaster

Cullabaa, native of Lake George, Five Islands tribe
Cullabaa, native of Lake George, Five Islands tribe
Cullabaa, native of Lake George, Five Islands tribe

Cullabaa, native of Lake George, Five Islands tribe, 1836

William Fernyhough
Portrait, lithograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Dr Robert Edwards AO 1999
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

Men of the Day No. 27
Men of the Day No. 27
Men of the Day No. 27

Men of the Day No. 27 "La Reyne le veult" (Sir John George Shaw-Lefevre), 1871

Carlo Pellegrini, Vanity Fair Magazine
Portrait, chromolithograph on paper

Purchased 2015

Suze DeMarchi, Baby Animals, St George Leagues Club, 1991 Tony Mott

Suze DeMarchi, Baby Animals, St George Leagues Club, 1991

Tony Mott
Image
Sir Arthur Coles
Sir Arthur Coles
Sir Arthur Coles

Sir Arthur Coles, c. 1971

Sir William Dargie CBE
Portrait, oil on canvas

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Coles Myer Ltd 2002
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

Marlon Williams, 2015 by Dean Golja

Marlon Williams, 2015

by Dean Golja
Image
The Butcher's Daughter, 2013 by Paul Raymond Beutel

The Butcher's Daughter, 2013

by Paul Raymond Beutel
Image
Little Darlings Youth Portrait Prize

Little Darlings Youth Portrait Prize

Prizes and awards

The competition is open to Australian school students and home-schooled students aged from 5-18 years.

Paddy Dhathangu
Paddy Dhathangu
Paddy Dhathangu

Paddy Dhathangu, 1986

Martin van der Wal
Portrait, inkjet print on rag paper

Purchased 2005

Illuwanti Ken

Robert Fielding

In their own words
In their own words

Recorded 2022

Lucinda, Tram Driver, 2021 Avraham Vofsi

Observation point

Magazine article by Avraham Vofsi, 2022

For me, portraiture is all about connection. If we can connect deeply to another person’s story, it can be a profoundly moving experience.

Jack Charles

Jack Charles

In their own words
In their own words

Recorded 2022

The Australian Tom Thumb (John David Armstrong)
The Australian Tom Thumb (John David Armstrong)
The Australian Tom Thumb (John David Armstrong)

The Australian Tom Thumb (John David Armstrong), c. 1880

J D. Cooper
Portrait, carte de visite photograph

Purchased 2014

Little Darlings Youth Portrait Prize

Little Darlings Online Workshop

Mondays and Fridays until 9 October
Current programs for school groups

For students aged 5 to 18 years and their teachers, this program aims to encourage students to create a “My story” portrait. Book your class (or entire cohort) in for a $30 one hour making session delivered via Zoom, WebEx or Teams.

Buckley discovering himself to the early settlers
Buckley discovering himself to the early settlers
Buckley discovering himself to the early settlers

Buckley discovering himself to the early settlers, 1869

S Calvert, Gibbs, Shallard and Co after O.R. Campbell
Portrait, colour wood engraving on paper

Purchased 2009

Walter Lindrum

'Wally and the game of billiards'
Portrait story

A portrait story exploring the life of Walter Lindrum, one of the greatest billiard players of all time.

Nancy Wake

'The White Mouse'
Portrait story

A portrait story describing the amazing life of World War II resistance fighter, Nancy Wake.

Don Bradman

The creation of 'Our Don'
Portrait story

A portrait story that explores the life and times of legendary Australian cricketer Sir Donald Bradman.

Duchess of Cornwall and York (later Queen Mary)
Duchess of Cornwall and York (later Queen Mary)
Duchess of Cornwall and York (later Queen Mary)

Duchess of Cornwall and York (later Queen Mary), 1903

H. Walter Barnett
Portrait, platinum photograph

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Peter Roberts 2015

Duchess of Cornwall and York (later Queen Mary)
Duchess of Cornwall and York (later Queen Mary)
Duchess of Cornwall and York (later Queen Mary)

Duchess of Cornwall and York (later Queen Mary), 1903

H. Walter Barnett
Portrait, platinum photograph

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Peter Roberts 2015

Duchess of Cornwall and York (later Queen Mary)
Duchess of Cornwall and York (later Queen Mary)
Duchess of Cornwall and York (later Queen Mary)

Duchess of Cornwall and York (later Queen Mary), 1903

H. Walter Barnett
Portrait, platinum photograph

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Peter Roberts 2015

George and Jemima Billet with family

In the most correct style

Nearest & Dearest

Desirable outcomes, undesirable origins

Naomi Watts

In Sync

Magazine article by Peter Brew-Bevan, 2004

Peter Brew-Bevan discusses two experiences where his plans for his portraits produced surprising results.

My Dad the People Smuggler, 2013

by Phuong Thai Hoang Ngo
General content

Finalist, MDPA 2013

Stan Grant and Tracey Holmes, 2020 Nic Walker

Stan Grant and Tracey Holmes

Nic Walker
Image
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu

Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, 2009

Guido Maestri
Portrait, oil on linen

Gift of the artist 2011. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Portrait 26

December 2007 - February 2008
Magazine

This issue of Portrait Magazine features Matthew Perceval, Tom Uren, George Tjungurrayi, silhouette portraiture, pop art portraits and more.

Thomas Woolner

The mystery of Enoch Arden

About Face article

Tennyson's Enoch Arden was inspired by a story that Thomas Woolner passed on to him – but whose story and of whom?

Cindy Kavanagh

Cindy Kavanagh

Vox pops

The portrait, the priestess, is of a friend, Floria, and it's part of a project I've been working on for two years, which is 50 at 50.

Portrait 21

September - November 2006
Magazine

This issue of Portrait Magazine features Margaret Cameron, the 'Truth and Likeness' exhibition, Reg Mombassa, Patrick White, George Foxhill and more.

Stan Grant and Tracey Holmes
Stan Grant and Tracey Holmes
Stan Grant and Tracey Holmes

Stan Grant and Tracey Holmes, 2020

Nic Walker
Portrait, archival pigment print on Canson Edition Etching cotton rag paper

Gift of the artist 2021

Rob, Homeless in Cooma, NSW, 2016 by Greg Nelson

Rob, Homeless in Cooma, NSW, 2016

by Greg Nelson
Image

Artist in residence creates portraits using brainwave zctivity

29 June 2016
Archived media releases 2016

Digital media artist, George Khut, is creating a spectacular form of digital portraiture involving public participants.

Portrait 4

June - August 2002
Magazine

This issue of Portrait Magazine features articles on Dame Elisabeth Murdoch, George Lambert's self-portrait, Professor Peter Doherty, the man behind the Dr. Who theme, and more.

Portrait 13

September - November 2004
Magazine

This issue of Portrait Magazine features Nancy Wake, Jon Campbell's portrait of Paul Kelly, George Selth Coppin, Henri Cartier-Bresson and more.

Am I living in Hell?, 2018 Lauren Horwood

Am I living in Hell?, 2018

Lauren Horwood
Image
In the mirror: self portrait with Joy Hester (detail), 1939  Albert Tucker

Australian Love Stories online

#PortraitureComesHome

Lust and longing, drama and devotion, seduction and scandal! Delve into an enticing array of tales of the heart.

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.

The heart that is theirs, 2008 by Lisa Tomasetti

The heart that is theirs, 2008

by Lisa Tomasetti
Image
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu

Dr G Yunupingu

Magazine article, 2017

Dr G Yunupingu (1970-2017), a man of the Gumatj clan of north-east Arnhem Land, learned to play guitar, keyboard, drums and didgeridoo as a child.

Chest piece, 2014 by Jeremy Shaw

Chest piece, 2014

by Jeremy Shaw
Image

Prison and death in the 19th century

Two iBooks of authentic records
Learning resources

These books include sixteen inmates including Ned Kelly, Captain Moonlite and Frederick Deeming and twelve sketches of the deceased, including several children. For Year 7 – 9 students.

Portrait of Dame Elisabeth Murdoch

Dame Elisabeth Murdoch

Magazine article by Simon Elliott, 2002

The story behind the commissioning of the tapesty portrait of Dame Elisabeth Murdoch.

Me and My Place, 2023 Emily Ma

Me and My Place

Emily Ma
Image
Milton Glaser Art is Work

Sam Haskins

Portraits & Other Stories
Previous exhibition, 2006

Haskins is known for his poetic combinations of images and this exhibition of 'extended' portraits builds on this approach.

Rayner Hoff
Rayner Hoff
Rayner Hoff

Rayner Hoff, 1924

Harold Cazneaux
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Gift of Richard King 2008. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

The arrival, 2017 by Renée Stamatova

The arrival, 2017

by Renée Stamatova
Image
Mary Chomley

The Cosmopolitans

In Gallery Two
Current exhibition

Spanning the 1880s to the 1930s, this collection display celebrates the innovations in art – and life – introduced by the generation of Australians who travelled to London and Paris for experience and inspiration in the decades either side of 1900.

Bern Emmerichs video: 4 minutes

Bern Emmerichs

Contributing artists

Born: 1961, Melbourne
Works: Melbourne

The great South Sea caterpillar transformed into a Bath Butterfly (Sir Joseph Banks)
The great South Sea caterpillar transformed into a Bath Butterfly (Sir Joseph Banks)
The great South Sea caterpillar transformed into a Bath Butterfly (Sir Joseph Banks)

The great South Sea caterpillar transformed into a Bath Butterfly (Sir Joseph Banks), 1795 (printed 1851)

James Gillray
Portrait, etching, hand coloured on paper

Gift of Douglas Stewart Fine Books 2013

Cordy in the Clouds 2021 Adam Haddrick

Cordy in the Clouds 2021

Adam Haddrick
Image
Julian Rossi Ashton
Julian Rossi Ashton
Julian Rossi Ashton

Julian Rossi Ashton, 1933

Eric Wilson
Portrait, charcoal on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Philip Bacon AM 2012

Richard Morecroft & Alison Mackay

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2017

Previous exhibition, 2017

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.

House painters, 2019 Graham Monro

House painters, 2019

Graham Monro
Image
Tokyo, 2010 by Lisa Tomasetti

Tokyo, 2010

by Lisa Tomasetti
Image
Gail Kelly
Gail Kelly
Gail Kelly

Gail Kelly, 2018

Paul Newton
Portrait, oil on canvas

Commissioned with funds provided by Westpac Group and Optus 2018

Mrs Woods and ‘Ere
Mrs Woods and ‘Ere
Mrs Woods and ‘Ere

Mrs Woods and ‘Ere, 2013

Karla Dickens
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Purchased 2019

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother)
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother)
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother)

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother), 1943-1944

Charles Wheeler
Portrait, coloured chalk on artist board

Purchased 2019

Ruby Hunter
Ruby Hunter
Ruby Hunter

Ruby Hunter, 1996 (printed 2012)

Jacqueline Mitelman
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Purchased 2012

Angela Belgiorno-Zegna, 2001 by Salvatore Zofrea

Intimate Portraits

Previous exhibition, 2002

Intimate Portraits is an exhibition of paintings, drawings and prints that explore the less public side of portraiture

Leaving Lost, 2013

by Frazer Bull-Clark
General content

Finalist, MDPA 2013

The Gladiators (Norm Provan and Arthur Summons)
The Gladiators (Norm Provan and Arthur Summons)
The Gladiators (Norm Provan and Arthur Summons)

The Gladiators (Norm Provan and Arthur Summons), 1963 (printed 1970s)

John O'Gready
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2009

Vy (Cowsill) 2016 by Rozalind Drummond

Joyful sadness

About Face article

Rozalind Drummond’s photographs in the exhibition Tough and tender let us bring our imagination to the act of looking.

Martha Knox
Martha Knox
Martha Knox

Martha Knox, c. 1855

an unknown artist
Portrait, daguerreotype

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Dr Peter Halliday in memory of Norah Knox 2010

Carlos Soyos, 34, a migrant from Guatemala City, Guatemala and his son, Enderson Soyos, 8, take a self portrait at El Buen Samaritano migrants shelter, Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, 2021 Adam Ferguson

Carlos Soyos, 34, a migrant from Guatemala City, Guatemala and his son, Enderson Soyos, 8, take a self portrait at El Buen Samaritano migrants shelter, Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico

Adam Ferguson
Image
Mrs Woods
Mrs Woods
Mrs Woods

Mrs Woods, 2013

Karla Dickens
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Gift of the artist 2019. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Shaun: Warda Kadak, Becoming, 2020 Melissa Clements

Shaun: Warda Kadak, Becoming

Melissa Clements
Image
Destination Dissociation, 2022 Perri Lawson

Destination Dissociation

Perri Lawson
Image
Kate (Kate Grenville)

Kate Grenville

In their own words
In their own words

Recorded 2014

Shane Balcomb aka. Sasha Trajik-Mole, drag queen, 2011 by David Kelly

Shane Balcomb aka. Sasha Trajik-Mole, drag queen, 2011

by David Kelly
Image
Drought story, 2020 Joel B. Pratley

Living Memory

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2021
Previous exhibition, 2021

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.

Portrait of Minika, 2013 by Grace Costa

Portrait of Minika, 2013

by Grace Costa
Image
Untitled No. 1 2010, by Fiona McMonagle

Observation point

Magazine article by Fiona McMonagle, 2016

Fiona McMonagle considers her reasons for painting portraits.

Susie Porter, 2019 Dee Smart

Susie Porter, 2019

Dee Smart
Image
© Shirley Purdie/Copyright Agency, 2020

Ngalim-Ngalimbooroo Ngagenybe

Shirley Purdie
Previous exhibition, 2020

Using ochres collected on her country in Western Australia’s East Kimberley, Shirley Purdie’s self-portrait is a kaleidoscope of traditional Gija stories and Ngarranggarni (Dreaming) passed down to her.

Self Portrait #1, 1992 by William Yang

William Yang

Australian Chinese
Previous exhibition, 2001

William Yang's art is about the telling of stories, his work is an intriguing mixture of philosophy, autobiography, social history and documentary imbued with a sense of the artist's own curiosity, humanity and humour

Julian Ashton Life Class
Julian Ashton Life Class
Julian Ashton Life Class

Julian Ashton Life Class, 1920

Harold Cazneaux
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Purchased 2015

Mark Ella

Gallery unveils Portrait of Mark Ella

12 May 2016
Archived media releases 2016

Last night in Sydney, the National Portrait Gallery unveiled a newly commissioned portrait of Australian sporting legend Mark Ella AM.

Patrick White at Centennial Park, 1979–1980

White Whiteley

The portrait of Patrick White by Brett Whiteley
Previous exhibition, 2012

Eleven works by Brett Whiteley, centred around his scintillating 'Patrick White at Centennial Park 1979-1980'.

Clem Sands
Clem Sands
Clem Sands

Clem Sands, c. 1940s

an unknown artist
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Purchased 2011

Russell Sands
Russell Sands
Russell Sands

Russell Sands, n.d.

an unknown artist
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Purchased 2011

Alfie Sands
Alfie Sands
Alfie Sands

Alfie Sands, c. 1940s

an unknown artist
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Purchased 2011

Lowitja O'Donoghue

Awesome Achievers

A cross-curriculum learning resource
Learning resource archive

What makes someone awesome? And how does a portrait tell a person's story? Bring your students up close and personal with some great Australians. For upper primary school students.

Kuei - The Sea of Gazelles - South Sudan to Oz, 2016 by Kellie Maree Leczinska

Kuei - The Sea of Gazelles - South Sudan to Oz, 2016

by Kellie Maree Leczinska
Image
Geoff Cousins
Geoff Cousins
Geoff Cousins

Geoff Cousins, 2017

David Naseby
Portrait, oil on canvas

Gift of Geoff Cousins AM 2007

Tea time, c.1898–1902 by Rupert Bunny (1864–1947)

Impressions

Painting light and life
Previous exhibition, 2011

Impressions: Painting light and life presents portraits by, and of, artists at the heart of Australian impressionism including Tom Roberts, Arthur Streeton and Frederick McCubbin.

Mick Fanning at Snapper Rocks

Beach scene

Magazine article by Andrew Maccoll, 2012

Photographer Andrew Maccoll tells the story behind his portrait of dual world champion pro surfer Mick Fanning.

Felix, Petty Cash Café Marrickville, 2019 Fiona Wolf-Symeonides

Felix, Petty Cash Café Marrickville, 2019

Fiona Wolf-Symeonides
Image
Negotiating a family portrait-a study of history, myth and identity, 2015 Family, 2015 by Marzena Wasikowska

Negotiating a family portrait-a study of history, myth and identity, 2015 Family, 2015

by Marzena Wasikowska
Image
True Stories - Helen Garner

True Stories

Magazine article by Simon Elliott, 2005

The story behind the creation of the portrait of Helen Garner by Jenny Sages.

Esther Erlich and Joe

Esther Erlich and Joe

Vox pops

Joe is my grandson, he's the youngest of my son's kids, and the other two have been painted already so I did him.

Francis Russell Nixon

Sketches and sermons

Magazine article by Jessica Smith, 2009

Jessica Smith looks at the 'fetching' portrait of Tasmania's first Anglican Bishop, Francis Russell Nixon by George Richmond

Ngambri Woman, 2021 Narelle Zeller

Ngambri Woman

Narelle Zeller
Image
Who’s that lady?, 2014 by Ferne Millen

Who’s that lady?, 2014

by Ferne Millen
Image
Bungaree, late chief of the Broken Bay tribe, Sydney

Heads of the People

A Portrait of Colonial Australia
Previous exhibition, 2000

For Tom Roberts - Australia's best nineteenth-century portrait painter - neither a proto-national portrait gallery nor more popular collections of portrait heads, were sufficient public celebrations for the notables of Australian history

Autumn evenings golden glow, c.1942 by Hilda Rix Nicholas

Paris to Monaro

Pleasures from the studio of Hilda Rix Nicholas
Previous exhibition, 2013

After successfully exploring the art scenes of London, France and Morocco, Hilda Rix Nicholas settled at Knockalong, a property near Delegate, on the Monaro plain in the 1920s.

Kew House 2: Bedtime, 2009 by Bronek Kozka

Kew House 2: Bedtime, 2009

by Bronek Kozka
Image

Dr John Yu

Portrait story

An interview with the acclaimed pediatrician Dr. John Yu who describes the process of having his portrait sculpture created by artist Ah Xian.

Yousuf Karsh by George O'Neill

Karsh

Faces of the Twentieth Century
Previous exhibition, 1998

Yousuf Karsh - the most famous portrait photographer in the world - has photographed the statesmen, artists, literary and scientific figures who have defined the 20th century and shaped our lives, In this, his 90th year, the National Portrait Gallery is thrilled to present an exhibition of Karsh's photography of 20th century figures.

King Edward VII, 1910 by George Lambert

Of Kings and men

Celebrating 100 years of the Historic Memorials Collection
Previous exhibition, 2011

This display celebrates 100 years of the Historic Memorials Collection and its role in commissioning portraits of parliamentary and judicial figures in Australia.

The Gladiators (Norm Provan and Arthur Summons)

Who's that?

Magazine article by Michael Desmond, 2009

Michael Desmond discusses the iconic picture of two Rugby League players which became known as 'The Gladiators'.

Nick Cave, Susie Bick and Luke Cave, 1998 (printed 2020) Dominique Issermann. Courtesy of the artist © Dominique Issermann

Stepping out

Devotion

Beautiful punk love

The rose, 1927

The World of Thea Proctor

Previous exhibition, 2005

The World of Thea Proctor is the Portrait Gallery's second major biographical exhibition - that is, the second exhibition to focus exclusively on the life and work of a single individual

Portrait of mother (after Mirka), 2008 by Nat Thomas & Concettina Inserra

Portrait of mother (after Mirka), 2008

by Nat Thomas & Concettina Inserra
Image
image not online

Marilyn Ball, Albatross, 2018 (detail) by Linde Ivimey

So Fine

Contemporary women artists make Australian history
Previous exhibition, 2018

This exhibition features new works from ten women artists reinterpreting and reimagining elements of Australian history, enriching the contemporary narrative around Australia’s history and biography, reflecting the tradition of storytelling in our country.

Portrait of Captain James Cook RN

Cook in context

Magazine article by Diana Warnes, 2007

Robert Oatley's continuing benefaction has helped the National Portrait Gallery acquire works that add another layer to the story of Captain Cook.

Portrait of Tam Purves

Bonfire of the vanities

Magazine article by Stuart Purves, 2016

Australian Galleries Director Stuart Purves tells the story of two portraits by John Brack.

Kiffy Rubbo 2, 1979
Kiffy Rubbo 2, 1979
Kiffy Rubbo 2, 1979

Kiffy Rubbo 2, 1979, 1979 (printed 2012)

Robert Rooney
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2012

Janine Burke, c. 1980
Janine Burke, c. 1980
Janine Burke, c. 1980

Janine Burke, c. 1980, 1980 (printed 2012)

Robert Rooney
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2012

Mr and Mrs R. T. Carter
Mr and Mrs R. T. Carter
Mr and Mrs R. T. Carter

Mr and Mrs R. T. Carter, c. 1863

Milligan Bros (Studio)
Portrait, ambrotype, hand coloured on glass plate with black paint backing

Gift of Mr and Mrs James Bain 2000. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Natalie Bassingthwaighte by Peter Brew-Bevan

Stealing moments

General content

On-set stills photographers have no control over the momentum of filming that surrounds them. Using 'blimp' housings so camera clicks are inaudible, the photographers are a subtle presence on set.

Portrait 55

Summer 2016-2017
Magazine

Explore convict art, photography by Ruth Hollick and Collier Schorr, an interview with neurosurgeon Charlie Teo, portraiture on money, and more!

Self portrait
Self portrait
Self portrait

Self portrait, 1981

Michael Shannon
Portrait, pastel on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Les Rowe 1998
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

Self portrait
Self portrait
Self portrait

Self portrait, 1921

Thea Proctor
Portrait, lithograph on paper

Purchased with funds provided by the Ross family in memory of Noel and Enid Eliot 2013

Thomas Pearce
Thomas Pearce
Thomas Pearce

Thomas Pearce, c. 1878

The Photographic Society of Victoria, Melbourne
Portrait, albumen paper carte de visite on card

Purchased 2010

True Stories - Helen Garner

Jenny Sages

Paths to Portraiture
Previous exhibition, 2010

The exhibition Sages examines the process of portrait making through four large-scale portraits of women by Jenny Sages, paired with intimate preparatory drawings.

David Cossini

David Cossini

Vox pops

Godfrey's amazing man. I've known him for four years now. He has a very tough story.

Bust of Frank McIlwraith
Bust of Frank McIlwraith
Bust of Frank McIlwraith

Bust of Frank McIlwraith, 1937

Barbara Tribe
Portrait, cast bronze, patinated

Gift of the Estate of the late Barbara Tribe 2009

Margaret Robertson
Margaret Robertson
Margaret Robertson

Margaret Robertson, c. 1852

an unknown artist
Portrait, ambrotype, hand coloured

Gift of Fiona Turner (née Robertson) and John Robertson 2011. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

masculine/feminine, 2010 by Bridget Mac
NYSPP 2010 winner

National Youth Self Portrait Prize

NYSPP 2010
Previous exhibition, 2010

An annual event, the National Youth Self Portrait Prize seeks to encourage young people to embrace self portraiture and its expressive possibilities.

Self portrait

Elegance in exile

Portrait drawings from colonial Australia
Previous exhibition, 2012

Elegance in exile is an exhibition surveying the work of Richard Read senior, Thomas Bock, Thomas Griffiths Wainewright and Charles Rodius: four artists who, though exiled to Australia as convicts, created many of the most significant and elegant portraits of the colonial period.

image not online

Wendy Whiteley in conversation with Janet Hawley

19 October 2015
Archived media releases 2015

Wendy Whiteley in candid conversation with Janet Hawley to celebrate the release of the book Wendy Whiteley and The Secret Garden.

Goollabal (Rainbow Serpent), 2018 by Shirley Purdie

Memories

General content

The second row of paintings recall stories relating to specific sites, experiences and activities.

The first Australian first-class cricket team to tour England and North America
The first Australian first-class cricket team to tour England and North America
The first Australian first-class cricket team to tour England and North America

The first Australian first-class cricket team to tour England and North America, 1878

A & G Taylor
Portrait, albumen photograph on carte de visite

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2013

Gough Whitlam

Prime Ministers

About Face article

On the day before the Hon. E. G. Whitlam, AC, QC, died last month, at the great age of 98, there were seven former prime ministers of Australia still living, plus the incumbent Mr. Abbott – eight in all.

Lionel Rose, World Champion Bantam Weight Boxer before departing to the USA to defend his title

The champs

Magazine article by Dr Christopher Chapman, 2008

Two lively portrait photographs reflect the agility of their subjects: world champion Australian sportsmen Lionel Rose and Anthony Mundine.

NPPP Art Handlers Award 2023

Art Handler's Award 2023

General content

The Art Handlers' Award for 2023 went to Ugandan Ssebabi, 2022 by David Cossini.

image not online

Joanna Gilmour

Biography

Joanna Gilmour is the Curator, Collection & Research at the National Portrait Gallery.

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

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

Who's Jo?

General content

Find out about the curator of the exhibition.

Wylie
Wylie
Wylie

Wylie, 1840-1841

Robert Neill
Portrait, steel engraving with later hand-colouring on paper

Purchased 2018

Self Portrait #5

William Yang

In their own words
In their own words

Recorded 2022

Stan Coster, Manilla, NSW

Thousand Mile Stare

Portrait photography by John Elliott
Previous exhibition, 2004

Thousand mile stare provides a unique portrait of people of rural Australia

Portrait jug of Stanley Melbourne Bruce
Portrait jug of Stanley Melbourne Bruce
Portrait jug of Stanley Melbourne Bruce

Portrait jug of Stanley Melbourne Bruce, 1925-1928

Ashtead Potters Limited, Surrey, UK, Percy Metcalfe
Portrait, glazed ceramic

Purchased 2006

Roy and HG: John Doyle as Roy Slaven (L) and Grieg Pickhaver as HG Nelson: in studio (radio), c. 1990 Reproduced by permission of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation – Library Sales. © 1990 ABC

Relationship boundaries breed marathon success

Nearest & Dearest

A bromance in banter

Rev. Victor B. Walls and Mrs. Walls, Trinidad, B.W.I., c.1930

The first nurse

Magazine article by Tamsin Hong, 2016

Tamsin Hong recounts the tale of Marion Smith, the only known Australian Indigenous servicewoman of World War One.

William, Randwick

Miscellaneous obsessions

Magazine article by William Yang, 2022

William Yang shares the stories behind his autobiographical self portraits that celebrate his cultural heritage and identity.

Ina Gregory
Ina Gregory
Ina Gregory

Ina Gregory, c. 1895

E. Phillips Fox
Portrait, conté crayon and charcoal on paper

Purchased 2012

Sid Myer AM in front of Helena Rubinstein in a red brocade Balenciaga gown 1957 by Graham Sutherland. Purchased with funds provided by Marilyn Darling AC, Tim Fairfax AC and the Sid and Fiona Myer Family Foundation 2015.

Foundation

Support your Portrait Gallery

The Foundation encourages gifts, donations, bequests and legacies in service of the Gallery's mission.

Self portrait in plus fours
Self portrait in plus fours
Self portrait in plus fours

Self portrait in plus fours, c. 1939 (cast 2003)

Lyndon Dadswell CMG
Portrait, cast bronze

Purchased 2004

Jimmy Barnes at The Coogee Bay Hotel 1984 (detail) Grant Matthews

Pub Rock

Your backstage pass to 70s and 80s sounds and scenes
Previous exhibition, 2020

Celebrate the people, places and sounds of Australian pub rock and its enduring impact on our nation’s identity.

Study of male ballet dancers standing in a line
Study of male ballet dancers standing in a line
Study of male ballet dancers standing in a line

Study of male ballet dancers standing in a line, 2007

Jenny Sages
Portrait, charcoal and pastel on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of J Sages Family Trust 2009
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

Patrick White with Tom Jones
Patrick White with Tom Jones
Patrick White with Tom Jones

Patrick White with Tom Jones, 1956

Axel Poignant
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2003

Richard Morecroft & Alison Mackay, 2016 by Gary Grealy

Gary Grealy wins National Photographic Portrait Prize 2017

31 March 2017
Archived media releases 2017

After months of anticipation, the winner for the National Photographic Portrait Prize 2017 has been announced with renowned Sydney portrait photographer Gary Grealy taking out the award. George Fetting, guest judge for the 2017 Prize, was entranced with the evocative nature of the winning portrait Richard Morecroft and Alison Mackay.

Norman Lindsay
Norman Lindsay
Norman Lindsay

Norman Lindsay, 1921

Harold Cazneaux
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Gift of Richard King 2008. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Ken Done
Ken Done
Ken Done

Ken Done, 1987

Rennie Ellis
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Purchased 2006

Self portrait with gladioli

A very great and stimulating thrill

It's Complicated

Just good friends?

Stable Scene with Shane Dye
Stable Scene with Shane Dye
Stable Scene with Shane Dye

Stable Scene with Shane Dye, 2000

Noel McKenna
Portrait, oil on canvas

Gift of the artist 2019. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

HM Queen Elizabeth II

Longest reign

About Face article

Queen Elizabeth II is now the longest-reigning British sovereign

Chris Lilley, Ja’mie, Private School Girl publicity by John Tsiavis

Working with the stars

General content

Photographic portraiture constructs, projects and reinforces images of Australian personalities. The public persona, brand or personal image of an actor, comedian, presenter or musician is partly defined by their portrait – at least for a moment.

Jessica Mauboy

Jessica Mauboy

In their own words
In their own words

Recorded 2018

Professor Leslie Wilkinson
Professor Leslie Wilkinson
Professor Leslie Wilkinson

Professor Leslie Wilkinson, 1970

Anthony Browell
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 1999

'words are the daughters of the earth' Marion Halligan, 2002 Leeanne Crisp

'words are the daughters of the earth' Marion Halligan

Leeanne Crisp
Image
'words are the daughters of the earth' Marion Halligan, 2002 Leeanne Crisp

'words are the daughters of the earth' Marion Halligan

Leeanne Crisp
Image
'words are the daughters of the earth' Marion Halligan, 2002 Leeanne Crisp

'words are the daughters of the earth' Marion Halligan

Leeanne Crisp
Image
'words are the daughters of the earth' Marion Halligan, 2002 Leeanne Crisp

'words are the daughters of the earth' Marion Halligan

Leeanne Crisp
Image
'words are the daughters of the earth' Marion Halligan, 2002 Leeanne Crisp

'words are the daughters of the earth' Marion Halligan

Leeanne Crisp
Image
'words are the daughters of the earth' Marion Halligan, 2002 Leeanne Crisp

'words are the daughters of the earth' Marion Halligan

Leeanne Crisp
Image
'words are the daughters of the earth' Marion Halligan, 2002 Leeanne Crisp

'words are the daughters of the earth' Marion Halligan

Leeanne Crisp
Image
'words are the daughters of the earth' Marion Halligan, 2002 Leeanne Crisp

'words are the daughters of the earth' Marion Halligan

Leeanne Crisp
Image
'words are the daughters of the earth' Marion Halligan, 2002 Leeanne Crisp

'words are the daughters of the earth' Marion Halligan

Leeanne Crisp
Image
Patrick White
Patrick White
Patrick White

Patrick White, 1990

Rick Amor
Portrait, woodcut on paper

Gift of the artist 2005. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Fetteresso (Sir Robert Duff)
Fetteresso (Sir Robert Duff)
Fetteresso (Sir Robert Duff)

Fetteresso (Sir Robert Duff), 1883

Francois Verheyden, Vanity Fair Magazine
Portrait, chromolithograph on paper

Purchased 2015

Silent Strength, 2021 Wayne Quilliam

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2022

Previous exhibition, 2022

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.

Patrick White
Patrick White
Patrick White

Patrick White, 1987

Max Dupain OBE
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds provided by Timothy Fairfax AC 2003

Cooey: an Australian song

Cooey! An Australian Song

About Face article

"Coo-ey, Coo-ey, Coo-ey, Coo-ey—Love has caught the strain, Coo-ey, Coo-ey, Coo-ey, Coo-ey—it whispers back again." The “Australian lady” who composed these fruity lyrics was none other than Desda— Jane Davies, sometime Messiter (née Price) of Leddicott, Lavender Bay.

Glenn Murcutt

Glenn Murcutt

In their own words
In their own words

Recorded 2017

Percy, Reginald, Monty and George Faithfull, undated by Henry Dorner. Image courtesy the National Museum of Australia.

An affray which deserves particular mention

Ben Hall and his gang outdone, 6 February 1865
About Face article

Bushranger Ben Hall and his cronies held around 40 people hostage in a pub north-west of Goulburn, telling their captives ‘don’t be alarmed; we only came here for a bit of fun’.

Lowe Kong Meng
Lowe Kong Meng
Lowe Kong Meng

Lowe Kong Meng, c. 1887

Ludwig Lang after Johnstone O'Shannessy & Co
Portrait, tinted lithograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2015

Study of female ballet dancers
Study of female ballet dancers
Study of female ballet dancers

Study of female ballet dancers, 2007

Jenny Sages
Portrait, charcoal and pastel on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of J Sages Family Trust 2009
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

Study of a pair of ballet dancers
Study of a pair of ballet dancers
Study of a pair of ballet dancers

Study of a pair of ballet dancers, 2007

Jenny Sages
Portrait, charcoal and pastel on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of J Sages Family Trust 2009
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

Billy Hughes paperweight
Billy Hughes paperweight
Billy Hughes paperweight

Billy Hughes paperweight, n.d.

an unknown artist
Portrait, cast iron, painted

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Ric Techow and Jenny Techow-Coleman in memory of Roy and Bet Techow 2001

Arthur Streeton, Nora Streeton (nee Clench) and Pat, the dog

The Streetons’ rich serenade

Passion

If music be the food of love

Mary Chomley

The Cosmopolitans

Now on display in Gallery Two
General content

Spanning the 1880s to the 1930s, this collection display celebrates the innovations in art – and life – introduced by the generation of Australians who travelled to London and Paris for experience and inspiration in the decades either side of 1900.

Self portrait
Self portrait
Self portrait

Self portrait, 1911

Evelyn Chapman
Portrait, oil on canvas

Gift of Pamela Thalben-Ball 2007

Nicole Kidman

Australians in Hollywood

Magazine article by Simon Elliott, 2003

The exhibition Australians in Hollywood celebrated the achievements of Australians in the highly competitive American film industry.

Round the World (Thomas Brassey)
Round the World (Thomas Brassey)
Round the World (Thomas Brassey)

Round the World (Thomas Brassey), 1877

Carlo Pellegrini, Vanity Fair Magazine
Portrait, chromolithograph on paper

Purchased 2015

Alfred Hill
Alfred Hill
Alfred Hill

Alfred Hill, 1936

Rayner Hoff
Portrait, cast plaster, patinated on wooden base

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2000

William Francis King, 'The Flying Pieman'
William Francis King, 'The Flying Pieman'
William Francis King, 'The Flying Pieman'

William Francis King, 'The Flying Pieman', c. 1869

John Davis
Portrait, albumen paper carte de visite

Gift of the family of FW Macpherson 2010

Jane Franklin
Jane Franklin
Jane Franklin

Jane Franklin, c. 1866-1875

an unknown artist after Thomas Bock
Portrait, carved marble relief

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2018

Margel and Tarquin, Canberra

The Hinders: doyens of Australian modernism

Passion

Progressive partnership

Wainburranga (Paddy Fordham)
Wainburranga (Paddy Fordham)
Wainburranga (Paddy Fordham)

Wainburranga (Paddy Fordham), 1986

Martin van der Wal
Portrait, inkjet print on rag paper

Purchased 2005

Justin Tjungurrayi
Justin Tjungurrayi
Justin Tjungurrayi

Justin Tjungurrayi, 2007

Greg Weight
Portrait, inkjet print on cotton rag paper

Gift of Patrick Corrigan AM 2020. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Nam Le
Nam Le
Nam Le

Nam Le, 2010

Rozalind Drummond
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Purchased 2010

John Schaeffer AO - art collector and philanthropist
John Schaeffer AO - art collector and philanthropist
John Schaeffer AO - art collector and philanthropist

John Schaeffer AO - art collector and philanthropist, 2014

Evert Ploeg
Portrait, oil on canvas

Purchased with funds provided by Harold Mitchell AC

Rt. Honourable Lord Hawkesbury
Rt. Honourable Lord Hawkesbury
Rt. Honourable Lord Hawkesbury

Rt. Honourable Lord Hawkesbury, 1808

Edward Scriven, J B Ball & J DeCamp after Sir Thomas Lawrence
Portrait, engraving on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Ted and Gina Gregg 2012

Nick Enright
Nick Enright
Nick Enright

Nick Enright, c. 1976 (printed 2004)

Robert McFarlane
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2003

Prime Minister Gough Whitlam pours soil into the hand of traditional land owner Vincent Lingiari

A handful of sand

Magazine article by Ellen Kent, 2007

Ellen Kent examines the portrait of Vincent Lingiari and Prime Minister Gough Whitlam taken by photographer Mervyn Bishop.

Julia Matthews

Of Burke, Wills ... and wills

It's Complicated

Infatuation and (ill-fated) exploration

Lee Lin Chin

Icons

Parliament House
Touring exhibition, 2019

When a portrait communicates determination and individuality as boldly as these do, it has the potential to become an iconic image. For the Gallery’s 20th birthday this display brings together a group contemporary photographic portraits of inspiring women and men.

Queenie McKenzie Nakara

She saved his life. He showed her painting.

Nearest & Dearest

Leaders, painters, friends

John Newcombe and family
John Newcombe and family
John Newcombe and family

John Newcombe and family, 1973

Lewis Morley
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2003
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

Thilin-Thilin Gooragall Nyajaringil Garnkiny-nu (white gum tree, mother for the moon), 2018 by Shirley Purdie

Storytelling

General content

The fourth row of paintings interweave Ngarranggarni, memories, relationships and Country.

Free Range Cousins, 2015 by Jennifer Stocks

Children of the National Photographic Portrait Prize 2016

Learning resource
Learning resource archive

Senses, movement and imagination in portraits of children from the 2016 Prize. For Year 1 - 3 students.

Layne Beachley

Collection: Icons

Volume One
Previous exhibition, 2018

When a portrait communicates determination and individuality as boldly as these do, it has the potential to become an iconic image. For the Gallery’s 20th birthday this display brings together a group contemporary photographic portraits of inspiring women and men.

Billy Cook and Pride of Egypt
Billy Cook and Pride of Egypt
Billy Cook and Pride of Egypt

Billy Cook and Pride of Egypt, 1954

Ern McQuillan OAM
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds provided by L Gordon Darling AC CMG 2004

Atong Atem standing behind a wooden table and next to a large leafy green plant

Atong Atem

Artists and Collectives

Atong Atem is an Ethiopian-born, South Sudanese artist and writer living in Narrm/Melbourne. Her work explores migrant narratives and postcolonial practices in the African diaspora.

David Gulpilil's Hands
David Gulpilil's Hands
David Gulpilil's Hands

David Gulpilil's Hands, 2004

Ross Honeysett
Portrait, photographic print from film on paper

Gift of the artist 2021

Robert Banks Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool
Robert Banks Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool
Robert Banks Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool

Robert Banks Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool, 1827

Charles Turner after Sir Thomas Lawrence
Portrait, mezzotint on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2015

Convict love token from J. Waldon, 1832

To coin a (farewell) phrase

Devotion

A penny for their thoughts

Marcia Langton

Collection in focus: Brook Andrew

Previous exhibition, 2017

Experience the artistic clout of Brook Andrew’s portraits of Marcia Langton AM and Anthony Mundine.

'words are the daughters of the earth' Marion Halligan
'words are the daughters of the earth' Marion Halligan
'words are the daughters of the earth' Marion Halligan

'words are the daughters of the earth' Marion Halligan, 2002

Leeanne Crisp
Portrait, watercolour and gouache on vellum

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2004

Potters' Portrait Pot
Potters' Portrait Pot
Potters' Portrait Pot

Potters' Portrait Pot, 2009

Hermannsburg Potters, Irene Mbitjana Entata, Virginia Mbitjana Rontji, Lindy Panangka Rontji, Rahel Kngwarria Ungwanaka, Rona Panangka Rubuntja, Dawn Ngala Wheeler, Judith Pungarta Inkamala, Anita Ratara Mbitjana, Hayley Panangka Coulthard, Clara Ngala Inkamala
Portrait, fired terracotta clay, underglaze

Commissioned 2009

Henry Reynolds
Henry Reynolds
Henry Reynolds

Henry Reynolds, 2012

Dave Tacon
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2012

Rt Hon. Sir Robert Menzies
Rt Hon. Sir Robert Menzies
Rt Hon. Sir Robert Menzies

Rt Hon. Sir Robert Menzies, c. 1962

Victor Greenhalgh
Portrait, cast bronze

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Lady Bunting in honour of Sir John Bunting and the Menzies Foundation 1999
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

Professor Peter Doherty

A Meeting of Great Minds

Magazine article by Simon Elliott, 2002

The story behind Rick Amor's portrait of Professor Peter Doherty.

The Tichborne Claimant (Arthur Orton)
The Tichborne Claimant (Arthur Orton)
The Tichborne Claimant (Arthur Orton)

The Tichborne Claimant (Arthur Orton), c. 1872

Maull & Co Photographers
Portrait, albumen silver carte de visite

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2001

Dayiwool Ngarranggarni (Arygle dreaming), 2018 by Shirley Purdie

Ngarranggarni

General content

The third row of paintings come from Ngarranggarni (Dreaming).

Portrait of Sir Joseph Banks, president of the Royal Society
Portrait of Sir Joseph Banks, president of the Royal Society
Portrait of Sir Joseph Banks, president of the Royal Society

Portrait of Sir Joseph Banks, president of the Royal Society, 1812

N Schiavonetti after Thomas Phillips
Portrait, line engraving on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2010

Field Marshal the Lord Birdwood

Centenary of ANZAC

About Face article

Just now we pause to mark the centenary of ANZAC, the day when, together with British, other imperial and allied forces, the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landed at Gallipoli at the start of the ill-starred Dardanelles campaign.

David Campese II

Sporting Archibald

Previous exhibition, 2000
Celebrating the focus on sport during 2000, this special exhibition features our national sporting heroes and heroines immortalised on canvas
Vali Myers
Vali Myers
Vali Myers

Vali Myers, 2001

Eva Collins
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2003

Annette Kellerman

Indecent exposure

Annette Kellerman
Previous exhibition, 2011

'Diving Venus' and 'the perfect woman' are two of the numerous descriptions applied to Annette Kellerman, who achieved international fame during the early decades of the twentieth century.

Sir Joseph Banks
Sir Joseph Banks
Sir Joseph Banks

Sir Joseph Banks, 1802

William Ridley
Portrait, engraving on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Gina and Ted Gregg 2010

Peter Garrett by Karin Catt

Famous

Karin Catt Portraits
Previous exhibition, 2006

Australian photographer Karin Catt has photographed world leaders, a host of rock stars and Oscar-winning compatriots Russell Crowe, Nicole Kidman, and Cate Blanchett.

Ted Dyson, Bill Dyson (with pipe) and Percy
Ted Dyson, Bill Dyson (with pipe) and Percy
Ted Dyson, Bill Dyson (with pipe) and Percy

Ted Dyson, Bill Dyson (with pipe) and Percy, c. 1899

an unknown artist
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2008

Anthony Mundine
Anthony Mundine
Anthony Mundine

Anthony Mundine, 1992 (printed 2008)

Mervyn Bishop
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Purchased 2008

Milton Glaser Art is Work

Portraits and other stories

Magazine article by Christine Clark, 2006

As the National Portrait Gallery opens its exhibition of portrait and figurative work by veteran photographer Sam Haskins, the artist reflects on the highlights of his fifty-year career so far.

Rosalie Kunoth
Rosalie Kunoth
Rosalie Kunoth

Rosalie Kunoth, 1953 printed 1958

an unknown artist
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Purchased 2016

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.

Self portrait, 1970 by Matthew Perceval

Portrait Paintings by Matthew Perceval

Previous exhibition, 2007

From 1967 until 1981 Matthew Perceval lived and painted in France and during those years produced a large body of portrait paintings.

Self portrait (Full Length in front of Easel)
Self portrait (Full Length in front of Easel)
Self portrait (Full Length in front of Easel)

Self portrait (Full Length in front of Easel), 1901-1902

Hugh Ramsay
Portrait, oil on canvas

Gift of the Estate of John Oswald Wicking 2003

Sir Sidney Kidman
Sir Sidney Kidman
Sir Sidney Kidman

Sir Sidney Kidman, 1932

Samuel Woolf
Portrait, charcoal heightened with white chalk on paper

Purchased 2009

Miranda Otto
Miranda Otto
Miranda Otto

Miranda Otto, 1997

Montalbetti + Campbell
Portrait, direct positive colour photograph on paper

Gift of the artists 2003

Governor Sir Robert Duff with Lady Duff, Lord Hopetoun and Vice-Regal Party
Governor Sir Robert Duff with Lady Duff, Lord Hopetoun and Vice-Regal Party
Governor Sir Robert Duff with Lady Duff, Lord Hopetoun and Vice-Regal Party

Governor Sir Robert Duff with Lady Duff, Lord Hopetoun and Vice-Regal Party, 1893

Kerry & Co
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2014

image not online

Entry guidelines 2024

Little Darlings Youth Portrait Prize

Read the full requirements for entering the prize.

Naomi Hobson standing next to a wooden table and metal sink in her studio

Naomi Hobson

Artists and Collectives

Multidisciplinary artist Naomi Hobson, of the Kaantju language group and Patta skin group, after the Death Adder snake, lives and works on Country in Coen, Cape York Peninsula addressing powerful links between Country and identity.

Anna Meares

Narelle Autio

In their own words
In their own words

Recorded 2018

Paul Kelly
Paul Kelly
Paul Kelly

Paul Kelly, 2007

Peter Brew-Bevan
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Gift of the artist 2012

Rosie Batty

Portrait of Rosie Batty Unveiled at Portrait Gallery

24 January 2018
Archived media releases 2018

The National Portrait Gallery has unveiled a newly commissioned portrait of Australian domestic violence campaigner and 2015 Australian of the Year Rosie Batty.

Ningali Lawford-Wolf

Ningali Lawford-Wolf

In their own words
In their own words

Recorded 1996

Thomas Woolner

Missing Persons

Thomas Woolner in Australia
About Face article

Desperately seeking Woolner medallions

Hugh, 2009 by Hugh Marchant

National Youth Self Portrait Prize

NYSPP 2009
Previous exhibition, 2009

An annual event, the National Youth Self Portrait Prize seeks to encourage young people to embrace self portraiture and its expressive possibilities.

Portrait of Marjorie Cotton
Portrait of Marjorie Cotton
Portrait of Marjorie Cotton

Portrait of Marjorie Cotton, 1969

Jean Isherwood OAM
Portrait, oil on canvas

Gift of Marjorie Cotton Isherwood 2002

Miranda Otto
Miranda Otto
Miranda Otto

Miranda Otto, 1997

Montalbetti + Campbell
Portrait, direct positive colour photograph

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artists 2003

Tan Le

Tan Le

In their own words
In their own words

Recorded 2018

Phillip Gudthaykudthay
Phillip Gudthaykudthay
Phillip Gudthaykudthay

Phillip Gudthaykudthay, 1986

Martin van der Wal
Portrait, inkjet print on rag paper

Purchased 2005

Miranda Otto
Miranda Otto
Miranda Otto

Miranda Otto, 1997

Montalbetti + Campbell
Portrait, direct positive colour photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artists 2003

Simon Tedeschi unplugged
Simon Tedeschi unplugged
Simon Tedeschi unplugged

Simon Tedeschi unplugged, 2002

Cherry Hood
Portrait, watercolour on canvas

Gift of Tim Olsen 2010. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

John Bell
John Bell
John Bell

John Bell, c. 1968

Greg Weight
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Gift of Patrick Corrigan AM 2004. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

David Malangi Daymirringu
David Malangi Daymirringu
David Malangi Daymirringu

David Malangi Daymirringu, 1986

Martin van der Wal
Portrait, inkjet print on rag paper

Purchased 2005

Portrait of HRH Crown Princess Mary of Denmark

Tribute: Mary Isabel Murphy

About Face article

The Chairman, Board, Director and all the staff of the National Portrait Gallery mourn the loss of our Benefactor, Mary Isabel Murphy.

Zelman Cowen
Zelman Cowen
Zelman Cowen

Zelman Cowen, c. 1977

Ray Crooke AM
Portrait, pencil and oil on canvas laid on chipboard

Gift of David Crooke 2011. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Robert Drewe (in the swell)
Robert Drewe (in the swell)
Robert Drewe (in the swell)

Robert Drewe (in the swell), 2006

Nicholas Harding
Portrait, oil on canvas

Purchased 2010

Portrait of Professor Graeme Clark

Portraits for Posterity

Previous exhibition, 2006

Drawn from some of the many donations made to the Gallery's collection, the exhibition Portraits for Posterity pays homage both to the remarkable (and varied) group of Australians who are portrayed in the portraits and the generosity of the many donors who have presented them to the Gallery.

Mr Thake - Dr So and So
Mr Thake - Dr So and So
Mr Thake - Dr So and So

Mr Thake - Dr So and So, 1959

Eric Thake
Portrait, linocut on paper

Gift of Professor Van Sommers 2011

The rock and the flies
The rock and the flies
The rock and the flies

The rock and the flies, 1952

Eric Thake
Portrait, linocut on paper

Gift of Professor Van Sommers 2011

Sunshine and rain, Lygon Street
Sunshine and rain, Lygon Street
Sunshine and rain, Lygon Street

Sunshine and rain, Lygon Street, 1964

Eric Thake
Portrait, linocut on paper

Gift of Professor Van Sommers 2011

Epstein/Einstein? I can never remember!
Epstein/Einstein? I can never remember!
Epstein/Einstein? I can never remember!

Epstein/Einstein? I can never remember!, 1962

Eric Thake
Portrait, linocut on paper

Gift of Professor Van Sommers 2011

Paul Kelly
Paul Kelly
Paul Kelly

Paul Kelly, 2004

Jon Campbell
Portrait, synthetic polymer and enamel paint on canvas

Purchased with funds provided by the Basil Bressler Bequest 2004

Portrait of an Artist (Self portrait)
Portrait of an Artist (Self portrait)
Portrait of an Artist (Self portrait)

Portrait of an Artist (Self portrait), 1944

David Strachan
Portrait, oil on canvas board

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2017

Portrait of Bennilong, a Native of New Holland
Portrait of Bennilong, a Native of New Holland
Portrait of Bennilong, a Native of New Holland

Portrait of Bennilong, a Native of New Holland, c. 1810

an unknown artist
Portrait, engraving on paper

Purchased 2014

Dave Sands
Dave Sands
Dave Sands

Dave Sands, c. 1940s

an unknown artist
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Purchased 2011

Figure in a rocky landscape
Figure in a rocky landscape
Figure in a rocky landscape

Figure in a rocky landscape, 1965

Eric Thake
Portrait, linocut on paper

Gift of Professor Peter Van Sommers 2011

Self portrait among the ant hills
Self portrait among the ant hills
Self portrait among the ant hills

Self portrait among the ant hills, 1950

Eric Thake
Portrait, linocut on paper

Gift of Professor Peter Van Sommers 2011

Desert Island
Desert Island
Desert Island

Desert Island, 1967

Eric Thake
Portrait, linocut on paper

Gift of Professor Peter Van Sommers 2011

William St Leonards Robertson and the Oxford boat race crew
William St Leonards Robertson and the Oxford boat race crew
William St Leonards Robertson and the Oxford boat race crew

William St Leonards Robertson and the Oxford boat race crew, early 1880s

Hills & Saunders
Portrait, carte de visite photograph

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Malcolm Robertson in memory of William Thomas Robertson 2018
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

Paul Kelly, 1992 by Wendy McDougall

Paul Kelly and The Portraits

Previous exhibition, 2013

Aspects of singer songwriter Paul Kelly’s performance persona are communicated by portraits selected from a range of artists and leading music photographers in this focus exhibition.

Margaret Anderson
Margaret Anderson
Margaret Anderson

Margaret Anderson, 1942

Napier Waller CMG OBE
Portrait, pastel on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 1999

Pat Mackie
Pat Mackie
Pat Mackie

Pat Mackie, 2004

Nancy Borlase AM
Portrait, oil on canvas

Purchased 2004

Silent Strength, 2021 Wayne Quilliam

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2022

Learning resources

Let’s look closely at the National Photographic Portrait Prize 2022 together! For students and family groups.

Alan Marshall
Alan Marshall
Alan Marshall

Alan Marshall, n.d.

Louis Kahan AO
Portrait, fibre-tipped pen and pen and ink on paper laid down on cardboard

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

Ben McNamara

Ben McNamara

Vox pops

This is Marissa Gallagher from Kintore, which if you're in Alice Springs, just go west until the WA border, just before that, a traditional area of Pintupi mob.

D.I.Y. bow tie with Maxine Benba Clarke

D.I.Y. bow tie with Maxine Benba Clarke

Learning resources

Maxine, a featured writer in the Portrait23: Identity publication, invites you to create your own bow tie!

Woureddy [Wurati], a wild native of Brune Island
Woureddy [Wurati], a wild native of Brune Island
Woureddy [Wurati], a wild native of Brune Island

Woureddy [Wurati], a wild native of Brune Island, 1835

Benjamin Duterrau
Portrait, etching, printed in black ink from one copper plate on paper

Purchased with funds provided by The Ian Potter Foundation 2009

Truggernana [Trukanini], a native of southern part of V.D. Land
Truggernana [Trukanini], a native of southern part of V.D. Land
Truggernana [Trukanini], a native of southern part of V.D. Land

Truggernana [Trukanini], a native of southern part of V.D. Land, 1835

Benjamin Duterrau
Portrait, etching, printed in black ink from one copper plate on paper

Purchased with funds provided by The Ian Potter Foundation 2009

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.

Nambin (black headed python), 2018 by Shirley Purdie

Skin names

General content

The first row of paintings depict stories relating to kinship, introducing significant women relatives.

Henry Wade
Henry Wade
Henry Wade

Henry Wade, c. 1841

an unknown artist
Portrait, oil on paperboard

Gift of the Wade and Hannah families 2013

Arcadia (Wayne Lynch and Bob McTavish)
Arcadia (Wayne Lynch and Bob McTavish)
Arcadia (Wayne Lynch and Bob McTavish)

Arcadia (Wayne Lynch and Bob McTavish), 1969 (reprinted 2011)

John Witzig
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Gift of the artist 2011

Mary Ware
Mary Ware
Mary Ware

Mary Ware, c. 1854

Robert Dowling
Portrait, oil on canvas on board

Purchased with funds provided by Mary Isabel Murphy and Rosalind Blair Murphy 2014

Omai, A Native of Ulaietea
Omai, A Native of Ulaietea
Omai, A Native of Ulaietea

Omai, A Native of Ulaietea, 1774

Francesco Bartolozzi after Nathaniel Dance
Portrait, engraving on paper

Purchased with funds provided by Robert Oatley AO 2007

Portrait of Mrs Sarah Fairfax
Portrait of Mrs Sarah Fairfax
Portrait of Mrs Sarah Fairfax

Portrait of Mrs Sarah Fairfax, c. 1864

Edwin Dalton
Portrait, pastel on paper laid on canvas

Gift of John Fairfax Holdings Ltd 2002. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Maisie
Maisie
Maisie

Maisie, 1938-1939

Peter Purves Smith
Portrait, gouache on paper

Bequest of Lady Maisie Drysdale 2001

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.

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

Hedda Morrison
Hedda Morrison
Hedda Morrison

Hedda Morrison, 1941 (printed 2004)

Alastair Morrison
Portrait, type C photograph from an original negative on paper

Gift of the artist 2004

Sir Asher Joel
Sir Asher Joel
Sir Asher Joel

Sir Asher Joel, n.d.

Louis Kahan AO
Portrait, pencil on paper

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

Aung San Suu, 2009 by Shepard Fairey

OBEY

Shepard Fairey Posters
Previous exhibition, 2009

Shepard Fairey is best known for his iconic poster Obama/Hope which he made in support of Barack Obama for the 2008 US election.

Helen Garner
Helen Garner
Helen Garner

Helen Garner, 2004

Julian Kingma
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2006

Trucaninny [Trukanini], wife of Woureddy [Wurati]
Trucaninny [Trukanini], wife of Woureddy [Wurati]
Trucaninny [Trukanini], wife of Woureddy [Wurati]

Trucaninny [Trukanini], wife of Woureddy [Wurati], 1836

Benjamin Law
Portrait, cast plaster, painted

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2010

Portrait of Alan Marshall
Portrait of Alan Marshall
Portrait of Alan Marshall

Portrait of Alan Marshall, 1955

Lina Bryans
Portrait, oil on cardboard

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 1999

Portrait of Bennilong, Native of New Holland
Portrait of Bennilong, Native of New Holland
Portrait of Bennilong, Native of New Holland

Portrait of Bennilong, Native of New Holland, c. 1798

an unknown artist
Portrait, engraving on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds provided by Ross A Field 2008

Tamara Tchinarova
Tamara Tchinarova
Tamara Tchinarova

Tamara Tchinarova, 1938

Max Dupain OBE
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Gift of Rex Dupain 2003. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

What the tree saw: David Foster
What the tree saw: David Foster
What the tree saw: David Foster

What the tree saw: David Foster, 2018

Jacqui Stockdale
Portrait, inkjet print and oil on canvas, mounted with inset axe pendant

Commissioned with funds provided by the Sid and Fiona Myer Family Foundation 2018

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

Diseased curiosity

Captain Moonlite et al on trial for murder
About Face article

Just after 10.00 o'clock on 3 December 1879, four prisoners were brought from their cells at Darlinghurst Gaol and placed in the dock of a courtroom heaving with agitated spectators

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

Paul Kelly

Before Too Long

Magazine article by Simon Elliott, 2004

The story behind the creation of the portrait of singer-songwriter Paul Kelly by the artist Jon Campbell.

Mrs Woods and ‘Ere

Person and Place

General content

The connection between land and identity holds great significance in Australia. While for First Nations people, person and place are intertwined both culturally and spiritually, forming an intrinsic union between Country and self, stories of colonisation and migration are also deeply bound to this nation.

Leisel Jones
Leisel Jones
Leisel Jones

Leisel Jones, 2015 (printed 2021)

Peter Brew-Bevan
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Purchased with funds provided by the Annual Appeal for Contemporary Australian Photography 2021

Portrait of Elizabeth Jolley
Portrait of Elizabeth Jolley
Portrait of Elizabeth Jolley

Portrait of Elizabeth Jolley, 2003

Mary Moore
Portrait, oil on composition board

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Commissioned with funds from the Basil Bressler Bequest 2003

Wainburranga (Paddy Fordham)

Big shots

Magazine article by Djon Mundine OAM, 2017

Djon Mundine OAM brings poignant memory and context to Martin van der Wal’s 1986 portrait photographs of storied Aboriginal artists.

John Kaldor
John Kaldor
John Kaldor

John Kaldor, 1975 (printed 2002)

Lewis Morley
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Gift of the artist 2002. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Portrait of Brenda Niall
Portrait of Brenda Niall
Portrait of Brenda Niall

Portrait of Brenda Niall, 1997

Judy Cassab AO CBE
Portrait, oil on canvas laid on composition board

Gift of Dr Brenda Niall AO 2019. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Charlie, 2017 by Lee Grant

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2018

Previous exhibition, 2018

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.

Self portrait
Self portrait
Self portrait

Self portrait, n.d.

Ada May Plante
Portrait, pen and ink, pencil on paper laid on cardboard

Gift of Dr Penny Olsen, Peter Woollard and Artemis Georgiades 2015

Judith Wright with Barbara Blackman

Audio description

Access

Hear and read detailed audio descriptions of selected artworks from our Collection as we turn the visual into the verbal.

Noni Hazlehurst
Noni Hazlehurst
Noni Hazlehurst

Noni Hazlehurst, 1977 (printed 2011)

Lorrie Graham
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2011

Ned Kelly death mask

Sideshow Alley

Infamy, the macabre & the portrait
Previous exhibition, 2015

Death masks, post-mortem drawings and other spooky and disquieting portraits... Come and see how portraits of infamous Australians were used in the 19th century.

Bill Neidjie
Bill Neidjie
Bill Neidjie

Bill Neidjie, 2000 (printed 2008)

Mark Lang
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Gift of the artist 2008

Nancy Wake - The White Mouse
Nancy Wake - The White Mouse
Nancy Wake - The White Mouse

Nancy Wake - The White Mouse, 2001

Melissa Beowulf
Portrait, oil on canvas

Purchased with funds provided by L Gordon Darling AC CMG 2004

Her Majesty, The Queen, Elizabeth II (Blue)
Her Majesty, The Queen, Elizabeth II (Blue)
Her Majesty, The Queen, Elizabeth II (Blue)

Her Majesty, The Queen, Elizabeth II (Blue), 2001

Polly Borland
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Purchased 2021

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.

Jørn Utzon

With a Little Help from my Friends

Magazine article by Simon Elliott, 2004

The story behind the acquisition of the portrait of Danish architect Jørn Utzon.

Edward Knox Jnr and Thomas Forster Knox.
Edward Knox Jnr and Thomas Forster Knox.
Edward Knox Jnr and Thomas Forster Knox.

Edward Knox Jnr and Thomas Forster Knox., c. 1855

an unknown artist
Portrait, daguerreotype

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Dr Peter Halliday in memory of Norah Knox 2010

Self portrait with glove

To Look Within

Self Portraits in Australia
Previous exhibition, 2004

This exhibition is the first comprehensive survey of self-portraits in Australia, from the colonial period to the present

The Chess Player, 2011 by Andrew Campbell

Andrew Campbell

NPPP 2012 learning resource

An interview with the photographer.

Wenten Rubuntja
Wenten Rubuntja
Wenten Rubuntja

Wenten Rubuntja, 2001

Greg Weight
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Gift of Patrick Corrigan AM 2004. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Portrait of Dr Johann Reinhold Forster and his son George Forster

To the end of the earth

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2009

The portrait of Dr. Johann Reinhold Forster and his son George Forster from 1780, is one of the oldest in the NPG's collection.

TJ Smith and Tulloch
TJ Smith and Tulloch
TJ Smith and Tulloch

TJ Smith and Tulloch, 1960 (printed 2003)

Ern McQuillan OAM
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2003

Elizabeth
Elizabeth
Elizabeth

Elizabeth, 2019

Anthea da Silva
Portrait, charcoal and oil on canvas

Gift of the artist 2020

The great South Sea caterpillar transformed into a Bath Butterfly (Sir Joseph Banks)

The Bath Butterfly

About Face article

The caricaturist and engraver James Gillray's biting satires about Sir Joseph Banks. 

Virtual Excursions

Current programs for school groups

Live, interactive learning programs coming soon wherever you are.

Portrait of Private Edward Lello 1915 by Darge Photographic Company

Final frame

Magazine article by Karl James, 2016

Karl James reflects on soldier portraiture during the Great War.

Self portrait (Hilda in the Chinoise hat)
Self portrait (Hilda in the Chinoise hat)
Self portrait (Hilda in the Chinoise hat)

Self portrait (Hilda in the Chinoise hat), c. 1913

Hilda Rix Nicholas
Portrait, pastel and coloured pencil on paper

Gift of Bronwyn Wright 2013. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Murray Bail
Murray Bail
Murray Bail

Murray Bail, 1980-1981

Fred Williams
Portrait, oil on canvas

Gift of an anonymous donor 1999. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

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.

Ruby (left view), 2022 Shea Kirk

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2023

Learning resources

We encourage you to look, to feel, to think, to question and most importantly, to identify and connect.

Gail Kelly

Gail Kelly, 2018

by Paul Newton
General content

Commissioned with funds provided by Westpac Group and Optus 2018

Match woman, c.1823 by John Dempsey

Do you know more?

General content

The National Portrait Gallery is calling on family history enthusiasts and amateur historians to help reveal more about the people in Dempsey’s People: A folio of British street portraits from 1824-1844.

image not online

Joe Darling (image plate from The Empire's Cricketers. London: Fine Art Society), 1905

an unknown artist after Albert Chevallier Tayler
Portrait, chromolithograph

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2017

Ann Moyal
Ann Moyal
Ann Moyal

Ann Moyal, 1957

Pamela Thalben-Ball
Portrait, oil on canvas

Gift of Ann Moyal 2012. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Portrait of Ambrose Patterson

Velasquez Touch

Magazine article by Andrew Sayers AM, 2004

Former NPG Director, Andrew Sayers, explores the creative collaborations between four Australian artists living in Paris during the first years of the twentieth century.

Portrait of Mrs Tom Roberts

2013-14 Acquisition Fund

Annual Appeal

This 1910 portrait of Elizabeth Sarah (Lillie) Roberts by Tom Roberts was brought into the Gallery's collection with the assistance of the Acquisition Fund in 2013.

Meryl Tankard
Meryl Tankard
Meryl Tankard

Meryl Tankard, 2005

Ingvar Kenne
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Gift of the artist 2006

Portrait 64

Summer 2019/20
Magazine

Marian Anderson, emerging photographer Charles Dennington, piscatorial portraits, and the poignant path of photographer Polixeni Papapetrou and more.

National Portrait Gallery staff creating a rainbow for WorldPride 2023

Who we are and what we do

Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2023–25

The National Portrait Gallery is an award-winning building situated within Canberra’s Parliamentary Triangle, the symbolic centre of Australia’s capital city on Ngunnawal and Ngambri land.

Barton and Watson
Barton and Watson
Barton and Watson

Barton and Watson, 1902

G. H. Dancey
Portrait, pen and ink on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2012

Ian Thorpe

Collection: Icons

Volume Two
Previous exhibition, 2018

The second instalment of a display featuring bold contemporary portraits drawn from the collection. For the Gallery’s 20th birthday this display brings together a group contemporary photographic portraits of inspiring women and men.

D.A.S. Campbell (David Alexander Stewart Campbell)
D.A.S. Campbell (David Alexander Stewart Campbell)
D.A.S. Campbell (David Alexander Stewart Campbell)

D.A.S. Campbell (David Alexander Stewart Campbell), 1963

Sir William Dargie CBE
Portrait, oil on canvas

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Dr Mary Newlinds and Sheena Simpson in memory of their father, D.A.S. Campbell, 2014

Gooseberry, widow of King Bungaree
Gooseberry, widow of King Bungaree
Gooseberry, widow of King Bungaree

Gooseberry, widow of King Bungaree, 1836

William Fernyhough
Portrait, lithograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Dr Robert Edwards AO 1999
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

The selfie stick

About Face article

Last week ABC Television came to interview me about selfie sticks. The story was prompted by the announcement that the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York has lately prohibited the use of these inside their galleries. So far as I am aware we have not yet encountered the phenomenon, but no doubt we will before too long.

Portrait 66

Portrait 66

Summer 2021/22
Magazine

The Huxleys, National Portrait Gallery London’s masterpieces, Jennifer Higgie on portraits of women by women, Tamara Dean, Bangarra, Glynis Jones on fashion photographers, and NPG/NGV collaboration.

Peace, the Man and Hope
Peace, the Man and Hope
Peace, the Man and Hope

Peace, the Man and Hope, 2005

Brook Andrew, Larry Rawling
Portrait, screenprint on five sheets of paper

Gift of Brook Andrew in memory of Emmaline Rose Charnock 2012. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

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

Walala Tjapaltjarri
Walala Tjapaltjarri
Walala Tjapaltjarri

Walala Tjapaltjarri, 2009

Greg Weight
Portrait, inkjet print on cotton rag paper

Gift of Patrick Corrigan AM 2020. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

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.

Lady Barkly

New exhibition tells big stories through pint-sized portraits

2 November 2018
Archived media releases 2018

The National Portrait Gallery is bringing the Victorian era back to life in a special exhibition exploring the colour and character of post-goldrush Australia. 

Harry Williams
Harry Williams
Harry Williams

Harry Williams, 2005

Sahlan Hayes
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on resin-coated paper

Purchased 2006

Us Mob, Rock Against Racism Concert, Paddington Town Hall
Us Mob, Rock Against Racism Concert, Paddington Town Hall
Us Mob, Rock Against Racism Concert, Paddington Town Hall

Us Mob, Rock Against Racism Concert, Paddington Town Hall, 1980 (printed 2021)

Juno Gemes
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Purchased 2021

Us Mob, Paddington Town Hall
Us Mob, Paddington Town Hall
Us Mob, Paddington Town Hall

Us Mob, Paddington Town Hall, 1980 (printed 2021)

Juno Gemes
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Purchased 2021

Captain Matthew Flinders RN
Captain Matthew Flinders RN
Captain Matthew Flinders RN

Captain Matthew Flinders RN, 1814

an unknown artist, Joyce Gold Naval Chronicle Office
Portrait, stipple engraving on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Ted and Gina Gregg 2012

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.

Thomas Sutcliffe Mort and his wife Theresa

Husbands and Wives

Photographic Portraits from 19th Century Australia
Previous exhibition, 2010

'I have just been to my dressing case to take a peep at you.

Sam and the Perfect World, 2005

The news from Washington

Magazine article by Lauretta Morton, 2006

Australia's former Cultural Attache to the USA, Ron Ramsey, describes the mood at the opening week of the revitalised American National Portrait Gallery.

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.

Irina Baronova (handing on the baton)
Irina Baronova (handing on the baton)
Irina Baronova (handing on the baton)

Irina Baronova (handing on the baton), 2007

Jenny Sages
Portrait, encaustic, oil and pigment on composition board

Gift of the J Sages Family Trust 2009. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Neil Murray

True fella

Magazine article by Michael Desmond, 2011

Michael Desmond profiles the Australian songwriter and performer Neil Murray and his contribution to Australian music.

Hugo at home (Hugo Weaving)

Nicholas Harding

28 Portraits
Previous exhibition, 2017

Nicholas Harding: 28 portraits features paintings of Robert Drewe, John Bell and Hugo Weaving alongside gorgeously coloured recent oil portraits, delicate gouaches and bold ink and charcoal drawings.

Captain Matthew Flinders RN
Captain Matthew Flinders RN
Captain Matthew Flinders RN

Captain Matthew Flinders RN, 1814

an unknown artist, Joyce Gold Naval Chronicle Office
Portrait, stipple engraving on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2014

Paul Kelly

Corporate Support

Support your Portrait Gallery

Our partners play a vital role in the expansion of the Gallery’s programs, exhibitions and the ongoing development of the collection.

Mia Wasikowska as Robyn Davidson at Hamelin Pool, 2013 by Matt Nettheim

Hump days

Magazine article by Jessica Bolton, 2017

Jessica Bolton navigates the parallel tracks documenting Robyn Davidson’s astonishing journey.

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. 

William Johnson (1873—1948) by Percy Leason

Recognition

Percy Leason's Aboriginal Portraits
Previous exhibition, 1999

Originally conceived as an anthropological record, Percy Leason’s powerful 1934 portraits of Victorian Aboriginal people are today considered to be a highlight of 20th century Australian portraiture

Sidney Myer

Four from the 30s

Magazine article by Andrew Sayers AM, 2003

Australia's tradition of sculpted portraits stretches back to the early decades of the nineteenth century and continues to sustain a group of dedicated sculptors.

Portrait 67

Portrait 67

Winter 2022
Magazine

William Yang on his autobiographical self portraits, David Parker's 1970s and 80s Melbourne music photographs, seven-time NPPP finalist Chris Budgeon, and Benjamin Warlngundu Ellis.

2020, 2021 Jaq Grantford

Darling Portrait Prize 2022

Previous exhibition, 2022

The Darling Portrait Prize is a biennial national prize for Australian portrait painting honouring the legacy of Mr L Gordon Darling AC CMG (1921-2015). The winner receives a cash prize of $75,000.

Federal Statistician Knibbs

The numbers man

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2011

Dr. Sarah Engledow tells the story of Australia's first Federal statistician, Sir George Knibbs.

Miss Evelyn Chapman, 1918

Lovers of light

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2008

Dr Sarah Engledow traces the significant links between Antonio Dattilo-Rubbo and Evelyn Chapman through their portraits.

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.       

Norman Lindsay

Max Dupain

The Vintage Years
Previous exhibition, 2003

During his long and distinguished career Max Dupain took thousands of photographs of people

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.

Tommy Tycho
Tommy Tycho
Tommy Tycho

Tommy Tycho, 1986

Calvin Winetroube
Portrait, colour photolithograph

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Vicky Tycho 2013

Ken Wyatt
Ken Wyatt
Ken Wyatt

Ken Wyatt, 2019 (printed 2020)

Alex Ellinghausen
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Purchased 2022

William Robertson
William Robertson
William Robertson

William Robertson, c. 1852

an unknown artist
Portrait, 1/6 plate daguerreotype, hand coloured with case

Gift of Fiona Turner (née Robertson) and John Robertson 2011. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Camouflage self portrait, 1986

Hide/Seek

Magazine article by David Ward, 2010

David Ward writes about the exhibition Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture on display at the National Portrait Gallery, Washington.

After Dante’s Inferno, 2018 Sarah Rhodes © the artist

Observation point

Magazine article by Sarah Rhodes, 2019

I met Clara while teaching photomedia at the University of Tasmania last year. One of her assignments focused on her relationship with her former boyfriend, who she now works for as his live-in carer.

High school, 2008

Subtle emotion

Magazine article by Dr Christopher Chapman, 2010

Christopher Chapman considers photographer Rozalind Drummond's portrait of author Nam Le.

Peter Wilmoth, age 12, with copies of Our World 1974 Courtesy of the author

Paper, boy

Magazine article by Peter Wilmoth, 2016

Peter Wilmoth’s boy-journalist toolkit for antagonising an Australian political giant.

Duke of Wellington
Duke of Wellington
Duke of Wellington

Duke of Wellington, 1841

John Lucas
Portrait, mezzotint on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2016

Clara Crosbie, aged 12 years, now on exhibition at the Australian Waxworks
Clara Crosbie, aged 12 years, now on exhibition at the Australian Waxworks
Clara Crosbie, aged 12 years, now on exhibition at the Australian Waxworks

Clara Crosbie, aged 12 years, now on exhibition at the Australian Waxworks, c. 1885

Carrington Photo Galleries
Portrait, carte de visite photograph

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of John McPhee 2018

Neville Gruzman
Neville Gruzman
Neville Gruzman

Neville Gruzman, 1968

Eric Smith
Portrait, oil on masonite

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2007

Stevie Wright
Stevie Wright
Stevie Wright

Stevie Wright, 1975 (printed 2011)

Gary Ede
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2011

Shane Warne

Flash

Australian Athletes in Focus
Previous exhibition, 2006

Introduction The National Portrait Gallery’s photographic exhibition Flash: Australian Athletes in Focus explores various interpretations of Australian sporting men and women.

Jessie Street

First Ladies

Significant Australian Women 1913–2013
Previous exhibition, 2013

First Ladies profiles women who have achieved noteworthy firsts over the past 100 years.

Trukanini
Trukanini
Trukanini

Trukanini, n.d.

J.W. Beattie after Charles Woolley
Portrait, albumen silver photograph

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds provided by Allanah Dopson and Nicholas Heyward 2009

Cadel Evans

Winning in technicolor

Magazine article by Alistair McGhie, 2009

Alistair McGhie writes about the portraits of three of Australia's top professional cyclists: Cadel Evans, Stuart O'Grady and Robbie McEwen painted by Matthys Gerber.

image not online

Frequently asked questions 2024

Little Darlings Youth Portrait Prize

Answers to your questions about entering the prize.

Bon Scott & Angus Young, Atlanta, Georgia
Bon Scott & Angus Young, Atlanta, Georgia
Bon Scott & Angus Young, Atlanta, Georgia

Bon Scott & Angus Young, Atlanta, Georgia, 1978 (printed 2010)

Rennie Ellis
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph, selenium toned on paper

Purchased 2010

A Collins Street Surgeon
A Collins Street Surgeon
A Collins Street Surgeon

A Collins Street Surgeon "Patients and Diamonds" [Dr Beaney F.R.C.S.], 1874

Tom Durkin, The Weekly Times
Portrait, lithograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2016

Self portrait
Self portrait
Self portrait

Self portrait, 2002

Barry Humphries
Portrait, oil on canvas

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the Margaret Olley Art Trust 2003

Trukanini
Trukanini
Trukanini

Trukanini, 1866 (printed 1890s)

Charles Woolley
Portrait, glass plate negative

Purchased 2011

Andy Thomas

Uncommon Australians

The vision of Gordon and Marilyn Darling
Previous exhibition, 2015

This exhibition showcases portraits acquired through the generosity of the National Portrait Gallery’s Founding Patrons, L Gordon Darling AC CMG and Marilyn Darling AC.

Self portrait
Self portrait
Self portrait

Self portrait, c. 1934

Stella Bowen
Portrait, oil on cardboard

Purchased 2003

Shirley Purdie

Contributing artists

Born: 1947, Gilbun – Mabel Downs Station, WA
Works: Warmun, WA

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.

National Portrait Gallery and Access2Arts staff presenting on audio description at the Australian Museums and Galleries Association National Conference

Our achievements to date

Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2023–25

During the period 2018–20, the Gallery implemented our first Access Action Plan.

Copeman, gardener, Great Yarmouth by John Dempsey

Calling all family history buffs

3 July 2017
Archived media releases 2017

The National Portrait Gallery is calling on family history enthusiasts and amateur historians to tell it more about the people in its new show, Dempsey’s People: A folio of British street portraits from 1824-1844.

The Coronation Theatre, Westminster Abbey: A Portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, 2012

Imagination

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2013

Dr Sarah Engledow tells the story of The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee portrait by Australian artist Ralph Heimans.

The Mutineers turning Lieut Bligh and part of the Officers and Crew adrift from His Majesty's Ship the Bounty

High & Bligh

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2008

Joanna Gilmour explores the 1790 portrait of William Bligh by Robert Dodd.

David Williamson
David Williamson
David Williamson

David Williamson, 1974 (printed 2001)

Gordon Glenn
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Purchased 2001

Rosaleen Norton, Witch of Kings Cross

Rennie Ellis

Aussies All
Previous exhibition, 2006

Rennie Ellis: Aussies All is a celebration of the life and work of the late Australian photographer Rennie Ellis.

William Robertson

200 Years of Portraiture

About Face article

To celebrate his family bicentenary, Malcolm Robertson looks at the portraiture legacy left by his ancestors.

Tim Winton
Tim Winton
Tim Winton

Tim Winton, 2004

Quentin Jones
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2008

Stevie Wright

Tribute

Stevie Wright
Magazine article, 2016

Stevie Wright (1947-2015), singer-songwriter, came to Australia from England at the age of nine.

Self portrait

Me Myself I

Magazine article by Andrew Sayers AM, 2001

Andrew Sayers explores the self-portraits created by Australian artist Sidney Nolan.

Portrait of Susan Wakil AO

About grace

Magazine article by Penelope Grist, 2020

Penelope Grist finds philanthropy and fashion underpin the story of Susan Wakil AO.

Caroline Jones
Caroline Jones
Caroline Jones

Caroline Jones, 1978

David Campbell
Portrait, oil on canvas

Gift of Elizabeth Campbell-MacKenzie on behalf of the family of David Campbell 2012

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.

Hilda Heley, 2015 Peter Wegner

Drawn from life

Magazine article by Penelope Grist, 2021

Penelope Grist discovers the rich narratives in Peter Wegner’s series of centenarian portraits.

Jane Mander Jones
Jane Mander Jones
Jane Mander Jones

Jane Mander Jones, 1853

Henry Robinson Smith
Portrait, oil on canvas laid on composition board

Gift of Susanna de Vienne, Sarah Wood and David Lloyd Jones 2009. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

David Jones
David Jones
David Jones

David Jones, 1853

Henry Robinson Smith
Portrait, oil on canvas laid on composition board

Gift of Susanna de Vienne, Sarah Wood and David Lloyd Jones 2009. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Kerry Walker
Kerry Walker
Kerry Walker

Kerry Walker, c. 1979

Stuart Campbell
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

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

Caroline Jones
Caroline Jones
Caroline Jones

Caroline Jones, 2009

Salvatore Zofrea OAM
Portrait, oil on canvas

Gift of the artist 2009

J.C. Williamson
J.C. Williamson
J.C. Williamson

J.C. Williamson, c. 1913

John Longstaff
Portrait, oil on canvas

Gift of the family of Aimée Viola Horsley, daughter of J.C. Williamson 2009. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Potret diri di depan kelambu terbuka (Self portrait before the open mosquito net), 2009 by Herra Pahlasari

Herra Pahlasari

by Aminudin TH Siregar
Artist essays

At the time of Herra Pahlasari’s birth in 1978, her academic parents were living in Canberra.

20/20 launch speech

About Face article

Dr Helen Nugent AO, Chairman, National Portrait Gallery at the opening of 20/20: Celebrating twenty years with twenty new portrait commissions.

Barry Humphries

Clifton Pugh

Australians
Previous exhibition, 2005

This exhibition offers a comprehensive display of Clifton Pugh's portraits revealing his development and growth from tonal paintings to a unique style that was in demand from politicians, artists, academics and Australian personalities.

Woureddy [Wurati], an Aboriginal Chief of Van Diemen's Land
Woureddy [Wurati], an Aboriginal Chief of Van Diemen's Land
Woureddy [Wurati], an Aboriginal Chief of Van Diemen's Land

Woureddy [Wurati], an Aboriginal Chief of Van Diemen's Land, 1835

Benjamin Law
Portrait, cast plaster, painted

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2010

Portrait of Sir Joseph Banks
Portrait of Sir Joseph Banks
Portrait of Sir Joseph Banks

Portrait of Sir Joseph Banks, c. 1814

Thomas Phillips
Portrait, oil on canvas

Purchased 2011

Wally (Wouter) De Backer
Wally (Wouter) De Backer
Wally (Wouter) De Backer

Wally (Wouter) De Backer, 2013 (printed 2014)

Julian Kingma
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2014

In their own words

Audio-guide
Apps

In their own words is an audio-guide with a difference. We let the portraits of these remarkable Australians speak for themselves.

William Baker Ashton, First Governor of Adelaide Gaol
William Baker Ashton, First Governor of Adelaide Gaol
William Baker Ashton, First Governor of Adelaide Gaol

William Baker Ashton, First Governor of Adelaide Gaol, c. 1849

Henry H. Glover
Portrait, watercolour on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2011

Patrick White and Manoly Lascaris
Patrick White and Manoly Lascaris
Patrick White and Manoly Lascaris

Patrick White and Manoly Lascaris, 1987

Max Dupain OBE
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Gift of Danina Dupain Anderson 2018. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Paul Kelly

Face the Music

Previous exhibition, 2005

Australia has become recognised for the range and talent of its musicians, composers, conductors and celebrities in general associated with the music industry

Peace, the Man and Hope (Anthony Mundine), 2005 by Brook Andrew and Larry Rawling (printer)

In focus

Magazine article, 2017

Brook Andrew, Marcia Langton and Anthony Mundine.

Angus Trumble National Portrait Gallery Director

National Portrait Gallery Director announced

20 December 2013
Archived media releases 2013

The National Portrait Gallery welcomes Angus Trumble

Charles (still from video)  by Amiel Courtin-Wilson

The Winner of the Digital Portraiture Award 2016 is...

2 December 2016
Archived media releases 2016

The winner of the Digital Portraiture Award 2016 has been announced. Congratulations to Amiel Courtin-Wilson for his submission titled Charles.

Patrick White #1
Patrick White #1
Patrick White #1

Patrick White #1, 1980

William Yang
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Purchased 1998

image not online

Dora Byrne, 1951

Richard von Marientreu
Portrait, oil on canvas

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the Estate of Leslie Walford AM 2013

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.

Lee Kernaghan near Broken Hill

Australian of the Year

Inspiring a Nation
Previous exhibition, 2010

The Australian of the Year Awards have often provoked controversy about who is selected and whether their achievements are remarkable.

HM Queen Elizabeth II

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (1926–2022)

9 September 2022
Media

The National Portrait Gallery is deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in British history. Throughout her 70-year reign, Her Majesty represented graciousness, humanity and stability during times of enormous social change.

Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary (future Queen Elizabeth II)
Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary (future Queen Elizabeth II)
Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary (future Queen Elizabeth II)

Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary (future Queen Elizabeth II), 1942-1943

Charles Wheeler
Portrait, coloured chalk on artist board

Purchased 2019

Brett Whiteley - portrait 1
Brett Whiteley - portrait 1
Brett Whiteley - portrait 1

Brett Whiteley - portrait 1, 1975

Greg Weight
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Gift of Patrick Corrigan AM 2004. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Stockyards, 2011 by Adrian Brown

Adrian Brown

NPPP 2012 learning resource

An interview with the photographer.

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

Bourgeois family: Mirror frieze, 2001 From the series Re-take of Amrita
by Vivan Sundaram

Vivan Sundaram

by Rakhee Balaram
Artist essays

Born in 1943 in Simla, Vivan Sundaram’s long career has given him opportunities to work in a range of mediums – painting, installation, assemblage, photography, digital media and film.

Vanity Fair, April, 2004

International issue

Magazine article by Michael Desmond, 2009

Michael Desmond looks at the history of the Vanity Fair magazine in conjunction with the exhibition Vanity Fair Portraits: Photographs 1913-2008

Grateful admiration and brotherly love

About Face article

In the earliest stages of the Great War, the Royal Pavilion in Brighton was turned into a military hospital, and arrangements made there to accommodate the different dietary and other requirements of Hindu, Sikh and Muslim patients.

Margaret Robertson
Margaret Robertson
Margaret Robertson

Margaret Robertson, c. 1863

Batchelder & O'Neill
Portrait, albumen paper carte de visite

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Malcolm Robertson in memory of William Thomas Robertson 2018
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

Self portrait as Sarah Wisse, Transported
Self portrait as Sarah Wisse, Transported
Self portrait as Sarah Wisse, Transported

Self portrait as Sarah Wisse, Transported, 1996

Margaret Woodward
Portrait, oil on canvas

Gift of the Karmel family in memory of Lena and Peter Karmel 2018. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Miss Robertson of Colac (Dolly), 1885-86

Brothers on farms

Magazine article by Malcolm Robertson, 2011

Malcolm Robertson tells the family history of one of Australia's earliest patrons of the arts, his Scottish born great great great grandfather, William Robertson.

Stevie Wright
Stevie Wright
Stevie Wright

Stevie Wright, 2003 (printed 2005)

Gregory McBean
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2005

Dan Sultan

Dan the man

Magazine article by India Bednall, 2015

Martin Philbey’s portrait of Dan Sultan.

Animation 1 from the series Hereinbefore, 2012 by Laura Moore

iD Digital Portraiture Award winner announced

2 August 2012
Archived media releases 2012

The inaugural winner of the $10,000 iD Digital Portraiture Award was announced this morning at the National Portrait Gallery.

Untitled (girl on chair with red shoes) by Violet Frisby

Finding Mrs Frisby

Magazine article by Robyn Sweaney, 2016

Robyn Sweaney's quiet Violet obsession.

Untitled #88 (Captain Brad Kilpatrick and Kylie Minogue, Balibo, East Timor, 20 December 1999)

For the boys

Magazine article by Alistair McGhie, 2011

The photographs from Matthew Sleeth's tour of duty series look more like advertisements than images of war.

Ned Kelly death mask
Ned Kelly death mask
Ned Kelly death mask

Ned Kelly death mask, date unknown

an unknown artist after Maximilian Kreitmayer
Portrait, cast plaster

Collection: National Portrait Gallery Study Collection, Canberra
Gift of John Molony 2018

Angus and the late Peter C. Trumble, 1965, still then a firm advocate of the detachable collar.

Dementia and the arts

About Face article

That principle of equity of access has ever since been a noble aspiration for all public art museums, as it is for us here at the National Portrait Gallery.

Macquarie Digital Portraiture Award 2014

22 August 2014
Archived media releases 2014

Press releases for media.

Portrait of Ambrose Patterson
Portrait of Ambrose Patterson
Portrait of Ambrose Patterson

Portrait of Ambrose Patterson, 1901-1902

Hugh Ramsay
Portrait, oil on canvas

Gift of the Estate of John Oswald Wicking 2003

Fly fishing for Atlantic Salmon, Iceland, 2015 Josh Hutchins

Fisheye

Magazine article by Andrew Mayo, 2020

Andrew Mayo explores the portrait piscatorial, with help from two of its most creative practitioners.

Lustre, held by a Groom, ca. 1762 by George Stubbs

Stubbs and the horse

About Face article

One of the chief aims of George Stubbs, 1724–1806, the late Judy Egerton’s great 198485 exhibition at the Tate Gallery was to provide an eloquent rebuttal to Josiah Wedgwood’s famous remark of 1780: “Noboby suspects Mr Stubs [sic] of painting anything but horses & lions, or dogs & tigers.”

Clara Crosbie
Clara Crosbie
Clara Crosbie

Clara Crosbie, c. 1885

Arthur William Burman
Portrait, carte de visite photograph

Gift of John McPhee 2018

Sir John Young
Sir John Young
Sir John Young

Sir John Young, c. 1862

Freeman Brothers
Portrait, albumen paper photograph on carte de visite

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2015

A Goldfields Member

Showing character

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2016

Joanna Gilmour on Tom Durkin playing with Melbourne's manhood.

Captain W Kinghorne
Captain W Kinghorne
Captain W Kinghorne

Captain W Kinghorne, 1834

Thomas James Lempriere
Portrait, oil on canvas

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds provided by The Ian Potter Foundation 2007

Update on Temporary Closure of the National Portrait Gallery

15 April 2019
Archived media releases 2019

The National Portrait Gallery will close its doors from Tuesday 23 April 2019, but the public are still able to experience the home of portraiture during the four-month closure.

Ngalim-Ngalimbooroo Ngagenybe

Presenting… Shirley Purdie’s Ngalim-Ngalimbooroo Ngagenybe

Wednesday 27 May 2020
Archived media releases 2020

The National Portrait Gallery this week launches an online exhibition of Shirley Purdie’s remarkable self-portrait Ngalim-Ngalimbooroo Ngagenybe to coincide with Reconciliation Week.

HM Queen Elizabeth II
HM Queen Elizabeth II
HM Queen Elizabeth II

HM Queen Elizabeth II, 2001

Polly Borland
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Purchased 2002

Introversion from High Jinks in the Hydrangeas, 2020 Tamara Dean

In our nature

Magazine article by Tara James, 2022

Tara James chats with award-winning artist Tamara Dean about portraiture prizes, the environment and the strength of women.

Lucy Escott
Lucy Escott
Lucy Escott

Lucy Escott, c. 1861

Dalton's Royal Photographic Gallery
Portrait, albumen silver carte de visite, hand coloured on card

Purchased 2009

Self portrait

Give me five

Magazine article by Karen Quinlan AM, 2021

National Portrait Gallery director Karen Quinlan AM nominates her quintet of favourites from the collection, with early twentieth-century ‘selfies’ filling the roster.

Li Cunxin

Twenty new portraits marking Portrait Gallery’s twentieth birthday

21 August 2018
Archived media releases 2018

To celebrate the National Portrait Gallery’s twentieth anniversary as an institution, twenty portraits of outstanding Australian individuals have been commissioned for the permanent collection. This is the largest undertaking for the Gallery’s commissioning program in its twenty-year existence.

Study of Louis Nowra

Summertime Fun at the National Portrait Gallery

4 January 2019
Archived media releases 2019

Escape the heat this summer and step inside the National Portrait Gallery for an array of family-fun activities. From storytelling and drawing to music and art, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at the Gallery.

Gustavus Brooke
Gustavus Brooke
Gustavus Brooke

Gustavus Brooke, c. 1865

Burman and Son
Portrait, albumen silver carte de visite

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2010

Installation of ‘Face to Face: The New Normal’ at Wagga Wagga Regional Gallery, 2021 Vic McEwan

Facing the feeling

About Face article

Penelope Grist explores the interplay between medicine and portraiture in Vic McEwan’s Face to Face: The New Normal.

The Burke and Wills Monument
The Burke and Wills Monument
The Burke and Wills Monument

The Burke and Wills Monument, 1869

Thomas Foster Chuck
Portrait, albumen paper photograph on carte de visite

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2001

Leigh Bowery
Leigh Bowery
Leigh Bowery

Leigh Bowery, 1984

Robyn Beeche
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Gift of Claudia Hyles, Dr Christiane Lawin-Bruessel, Gwenda Matthews, Gael Newton, Anne O'Hehir, Susan Smith and Dominic Thomas in memory of our friend, Robyn Beeche 2016

The rose, 1927

The world of Thea Proctor

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2005

The world of Thea Proctor was the National Portrait Gallery's second exhibition to follow the life of a single person, following Rarely Everage: The lives of Barry Humphries.

Drought story, 2020 Joel B. Pratley

Living Memory – National Photographic Portrait Prize extended to January 2022

6 September 2021
Archived media releases 2021

In light of recent and ongoing gallery closures brought on by the COVID pandemic, the NPG’s 2021 National Photographic Portrait Prize exhibition season will be extended until 16 January next year.

Lord Kitchener

Lord Kitchener

Imperial strategist
About Face article

Once central to military strategy and venerated in patriotic households, Lord Kitchener is now largely forgotten.

Girl with Cigarette, c. 1925 by Agnes Goodsir

Agnes enigma

Magazine article by Karen Quinlan AM, 2019

Karen Quinlan considers the case of Agnes Goodsir, whose low profile in Australia belies her overseas acclaim.

Travis Giles, Fitzroy, Melbourne, Australia, 2010 by Nikki Toole

Mind and body

Magazine article by Dr Christopher Chapman, 2012

Christopher Chapman interviews photographer Nikki Toole about her bold and controlled portraits of skateboarders in the exhibition Skater.

Kath Walker [Oodgeroo Noonuccal]
Kath Walker [Oodgeroo Noonuccal]
Kath Walker [Oodgeroo Noonuccal]

Kath Walker [Oodgeroo Noonuccal], 1965

Clif Peir
Portrait, oil on board

Gift of Richard Brian Close, Githabul people, Woodenbong 2000. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Jessica Mauboy

National Portrait Gallery unveils twenty new portrait commissions to celebrate twenty years

18 October 2018
Archived media releases 2018

The National Portrait Gallery has unveiled twenty new portrait commissions of Australian leaders and individualists as part of its twentieth birthday celebrations in a new exhibition, 20/20: Celebrating twenty years with twenty new portrait commissions.

Theodore Twombly by Alice Carroll

A.I.

Magazine article by Dr Christopher Chapman, 2015

Christopher Chapman ponders our digital identity and selfhood.

The sisters, 1904

Beguiling impressions

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2012

Sarah Engledow is seduced by the portraits and the connections between the artists and their subjects in the exhibition Impressions: Painting light and life.

Anna Meares

Before hand

Hosting a touring exhibition

How is it done? How do artists capture someone’s presence and personality? What is the nature of this relationship? What does it feel like to be a sitter for a portrait in the national collection?

William Robertson and Martha Mary Robertson
William Robertson and Martha Mary Robertson
William Robertson and Martha Mary Robertson

William Robertson and Martha Mary Robertson, 1863

William Edward Kilburn
Portrait, carte de visite photograph on card

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

Andrew Sachs (‘Manuel’)

Star signs

Magazine article by Barry York, 2018

Barry York charts the course from childhood request to autographed celebrity portrait anthology.

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.

I was not waving but drowning II, 2005 by Atul Bhalla

Atul Bhalla

by Khavita Singh
Artist essays

Atul Bhalla was born in 1964 in New Delhi. He frequently combines photography, installation, sculpture, video, painting and performance to question the human relationship with the natural and constructed environment.

Yhonnie and Indiana, 2012

Surface tension

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2013

Joanna Gilmour on the National Photographic Portrait Prize 2013.

Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri
Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri
Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri

Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri, 2002

Tim Johnson
Portrait, oil and polymer vinyl paint on canvas

Commissioned with funds from the Basil Bressler Bequest 2002

Madame Sibly, Phrenologist and Mesmerist
Madame Sibly, Phrenologist and Mesmerist
Madame Sibly, Phrenologist and Mesmerist

Madame Sibly, Phrenologist and Mesmerist, c. 1870

James E. Bray
Portrait, albumen silver carte de visite photograph

Purchased 2017

Virginia Woolf, 1902 George Charles Beresford

Love my way

Magazine article by Inga Walton, 2022

Inga Walton delves into the bohemian group of artists and writers who used each other as muses and transformed British culture.

Howard Taylor

Reflections on portraiture

Magazine article by Andrew Sayers AM, 2004

An extract from the 2004 Nuala O'Flaaherty Memorial Lecture at the Queen Victoria Musuem and Art Gallery in Launceston in which Andrew Sayers reflects on the unique qualities of a portrait gallery.

Anna Meares

Anna Meares, 2018

by Narelle Autio
General content

Commissioned with funds provided by King & Wood Mallesons 2018

Mr Movies - Bill Collins OAM
Mr Movies - Bill Collins OAM
Mr Movies - Bill Collins OAM

Mr Movies - Bill Collins OAM, 2009

Evert Ploeg
Portrait, oil on linen

Gift of Joan Collins and the Todd-Wilson family in memory of Bill Collins 2019. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

James Oswald Fairfax

The Fairfax Gift

Magazine article by Andrew Sayers AM, 2003

This article examines the portraits gifted to the National Portrait Gallery by Fairfax Holdings in 2003.

Puberty, 1984

Personal Politics

Magazine article by Dr Frances Borzello, 2001
Dr Frances Borzello, British art historian and author discusses the uniqueness of women's self-portraits.
Charles Blondin
Charles Blondin
Charles Blondin

Charles Blondin, 1874

Timothy Noble
Portrait, carte de visite photograph

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2018

Hattie Shepparde
Hattie Shepparde
Hattie Shepparde

Hattie Shepparde, 1872

Bardwell's Royal Studio
Portrait, carte de visite photograph

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds provided by Graham Smith 2009

Jack Brabham

Start Your Engines...

Magazine article by Catherine McDonough, 2006

The bronze sculpture by Julie Edgar reflects through both the material and representation the determined and straight-forward nature of Brabham. 

Henry Squires
Henry Squires
Henry Squires

Henry Squires, c. 1861

Dalton's Royal Photographic Gallery
Portrait, albumen silver carte de visite, hand coloured on card

Purchased 2009

Recollections of a sinologist sitter

Magazine article by Professor Stephen FitzGerald AO, 2016

Professor Stephen Fitzgerald, Australia’s first Ambassador to China, traces the historical course from sino-australian cultural engagement to a maturing Australian identity.

Michael Wardell – Country of birth: Ireland 2014 by Jacques van der Merwe

Look who's coming to dinner

Magazine article by Michael Wardell, 2016

Michael Wardell’s personal insight into Jacques van der Merwe’s New Arrivals.

William St. Leonards Robertson
William St. Leonards Robertson
William St. Leonards Robertson

William St. Leonards Robertson, c. 1869

Johnstone O'Shannessy & Co
Portrait, albumen paper carte de visite

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Malcolm Robertson in memory of William Thomas Robertson 2018
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

Hugo Weaving as Horatio Farrat by Ben King Film: The Dressmaker, 2015

If you love movies, you’ll love Starstruck!

8 August 2017
Archived media releases 2017

In an unprecedented partnership, the National Portrait Gallery and National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA) present a new star-studded exhibition, Starstruck: Australian Movie Portraits.

Christos Tsiolkas

Intense identity

Magazine article by Dr Christopher Chapman, 2009

Dr Chistopher Chapman discusses the portrait of Australian author Christos Tsiolkas taken by John Tsiavis.

Lucy, 2001

Technical terminology

Magazine article by Michael Desmond, 2010

Michael Desmond introduces some of the ideas behind the exhibition Present Tense: An imagined grammar of portraiture in the digital age.

Charlie as he was, 2007

I'm not there

Magazine article by Dr Christopher Chapman, 2008
Christopher Chapman looks at some contemporary portraits that explore the construction of identity.
Queen Alexandra and Dowager Empress Marie Feodorovna of Russia, Hvidore, circa 1908 by Mary Steen

The cost of living luxuriously

About Face article

In 1904, the Dowager Empress Marie Feodorovna of Russia purchased as a gift for her sister, Queen Alexandra, a fan composed of two-color gold, guilloché enamel, mother-of-pearl, blond tortoiseshell, gold sequins, silk, cabochon rubies, and rose diamonds from the House of Fabergé in Saint Petersburg.

Rachel Ward and Bryan Brown

Australian Love Stories

4 January 2021
Archived media releases 2021

A major new exhibition celebrating love in all its guises. Opening 20 March 2021.

Creator versus character - Chris Lilley

How to be a boy

Magazine article by Dr Christopher Chapman, 2011

Christopher Chapman profiles Chris Lilley, actor and creator of Angry Boys.

Adut Akech, 2018 Charles Dennington

Peripheral vision

Magazine article by Aimee Board, 2020

Aimee Board chats to emerging photographer Charles Dennington.

Portrait of Truganini, daughter of the Chief of Bruny Island, Van Diemens Land, c. 1835

Black and white history

Magazine article by Michael Desmond, 2009

English artist Benjamin Duterrau took up the cause of the Indigenous peoples of Tasmania with his detailed and sympathetic renderings.

Davida Allen, 2016 by Mark Mohell

Davida Allen

Explore The Popular Pet Show

Going around a gallery with a child, we point to a painting of a dog and brightly ask ‘What’s that?’ If they don’t say ‘A dog’, we tell them that’s what it is. We don’t say it’s a shape inscribed by an artist that’s popularly understood to signify a dog. That’d only serve to foster a smarty-pants.

Self portrait

In good company

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2015

Jean Appleton’s 1965 self portrait makes a fine addition to the National Portrait Gallery’s collection writes Joanna Gilmour.

Dr Joseph Brown with Two Typists

Unboxed

Magazine article by Sandra Bruce, 2022

Sandra Bruce explores a new acquisition that has within it a story of interconnectivities in the Australian art world.

John Coburn

101 photographic portraits

Magazine article by Michelle Fracaro, 2004

Pat Corrigan's generous gift of 100 photographic portraits by Greg Weight.

Darren McDonald, 2016 by Mark Mohell

Darren McDonald

Explore The Popular Pet Show

The wild balancing act of McDonald’s home décor (is that there as a joke? where do I actually sit down? is this ironic or what? what a lovely photo of Darren and Robin in Europe!) is reflected in his own personality.

Orlando and Wilson, 2021 Chris Budgeon

People are people

Magazine article by Sandra Bruce, 2022

Sandra Bruce chats with seven-time NPPP finalist Chris Budgeon about photography, guitars and representing the human story.

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.

Barry Humphries

Talking heads

About Face article

In their own words lead researcher Louise Maher on the novel project that lets the Gallery’s portraits speak for themselves.

Ellen Stirling

Very fine and very like

About Face article

When did notions of very fine and very like become separate qualities of a portrait? And what happens to 'very like' in the age of photographic portraiture?

Nancy Wake - The White Mouse

Capturing the Mouse

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2004

Nancy Wake AC (b. 1912), one of the most­ decorated women of World War 2, earned the name the 'White Mouse' for her maddening ability to evade the Gestapo.

Victor Trumper

Top shot that

Magazine article by Gideon Haigh, 2009

Gideon Haigh discusses portraits of Australian cricketers from the early 20th century

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.

Ellen Stirling

Duty bound

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2009

Joanna Gilmour explores the life of colonial women Lady Ellen Stirling, Eliza Darling, Lady Eliza Arthur, Elizabeth Macquarie and Lady Jane Franklin.

Charlie, 2017 by Lee Grant

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2018

8 March 2018
Archived media releases 2018

Images for media use will be available from 8 March 2018.

Monument to Mrs. Moore St. Luke’s Church, Liverpool, Sydney

Waterloo and Mrs. Moore

About Face article

Beyond the centenary of the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli, a number of other notable anniversaries converge this year. Waterloo deserves a little focussed consideration, for in the decades following 1815 numerous Waterloo and Peninsular War veterans came to Australia.

Barry Humphries

Uncommon Australians

The vision of Gordon and Marilyn Darling
General content

Sarah Engledow writes about Gordon and Marilyn Darling and their support for the National Portrait Gallery throughout its evolution.

General Cosgrove, Dili, East Timor 1999

On active service

Magazine article by Sam Bowker, 2007

The National Portrait Gallery has acquired an evocative depiction of soldier Peter Cosgrove by the Victorian-based painter, printmaker and sculptor Rick Amor.

Elle Macpherson

Australian visit in Denmark

Magazine article by Mette Skougaard, 2006

In April 2006 the National Portrait Gallery showcased Australian portraits at the Fredenksborg Castle in Denmark. 

What the tree saw: David Foster

What the tree saw: David Foster, 2018

by Jacqui Stockdale
General content

Commissioned with funds provided by the Sid and Fiona Myer Family Foundation 2018

Self portrait

Portrait of a Modernist

Magazine article by Dimity Goldie, 2003

The National Portrait Gallery acquired the self-portrait by Grace Cossington Smith in 2003.

Ned Kelly death mask

Getting a head

Magazine article by Alexandra Roginski, 2015

Alexandra Roginski gets a feel for phrenology’s fundamentals.

Caroline Amelia Elizabeth
of Brunswick, 1804

Around the grounds

Magazine article by Dr Anne Sanders, 2010

Anne Sanders writes about the exhibitions Victoria & Albert: Art & Love on display at the Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace and the retrospective of Sir Thomas Lawrence at the National Portrait Gallery, London.

spaces between movement and stillness

Harriet Schwarzrock: spaces between movement and stillness

10 February 2021
Archived media releases 2021

To celebrate the new exhibition Australian Love Stories, renowned Australian glass artist Harriet Schwarzrock has been commissioned to make a large-scale installation reflecting on the role the heart plays as our emotional centre.

Anne-Louise Lambert as Miranda Courtesy Picnic Productions

Rock star

Magazine article by Jennifer Coombes, 2018

Jennifer Coombes explores the lush images of Picnic at Hanging Rock, featuring Anne-Louise Lambert’s Miranda, the face of the film. 

The National Portrait Gallery's 20th birthday party

The National Portrait Gallery's 20th Anniversary

About Face article

Last month we marked the twentieth anniversary of the formal establishment of the National Portrait Gallery, the tenth of the opening of our signature building, and the fifth of our having become a statutory authority under Commonwealth legislation.

L. Gordon Darling AC CMG

L. Gordon Darling AC CMG

31 August 2015
Archived media releases 2015

The Chairman, Board, Director and all the Staff of the National Portrait Gallery mourn the loss of our Founding Patron, who died peacefully in Melbourne this morning. He was 94.

Charlie, 2017 by Lee Grant

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2018 winner announced

23 March 2018
Archived media releases 2018

Finalists have been eagerly awaiting the announcement of the Winner and Highly Commended for the National Photographic Portrait Prize since December. It is our pleasure to announce the Winner for 2018 is Lee Grant for her portrait titled Charlie and Highly Commended has been awarded to Filomena Rizzo for her portrait titled My Olivia.

Axe Me Biggie

Axe Me Biggie

Magazine article by Stephen Dupont, 2008

Australian photojournalist Stephen Dupont's Afghanistan project captures the human experience of a country in reconstruction.

Jean-Paul Sartre, 1946

Insightful

Magazine article by Robert McFarlane, 2004

Henri-Cartier-Bresson invented the grammar for photographing life in the 20th century.

Yanyangkari Roma Butler and Yangi Yangi Fox from Irrunyju (Wingellina), Western Australia, 2017 Rhett Hammerton

Weaving identity

Magazine article by Rebecca Ray, 2022

Rebecca Ray explores the way identity, belonging and connectedness are translated through materiality in First Nations portraiture.

Tan Le

Tan Le, 2018

by John Tsiavis
General content

Commissioned with funds provided by the Sid and Fiona Myer Family Foundation 2018

Nose, 2008–10 by William Kentridge

A nose by any other name

Magazine article by Jane Kinsman, 2013

In the exhibition William Kentridge: Drawn from Africa at the National Gallery of Australia, the artist marries Gogol's Tsarist Russia, with that of Stalin and the damaging history of his homeland, South Africa.

The Writer, Peter Goldsworthy

The Writer: Peter Goldsworthy, 2018

by Deidre But-Husaim
General content

Commissioned with funds provided by Jillian Broadbent AO and Dr Helen Nugent AO 2018.

Sydney Ure Smith

Dupain detective

Magazine article by Johanna McMahon, 2019

Johanna McMahon revels in history and mystery in pursuit of a suite of unknown portrait subjects.

Statesmen, No. 4

Meeting by Murder

Magazine article by Yvonne Audette AM, 2005

The story behind two colonial portraits; a lithograph of captain and convict John Knatchbull and newspaper illustration of Robert Lowe, Viscount Sherbrooke.

Self portrait

Small worlds

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2010

Bess Norriss Tait created miniature watercolour portraits full of character and life.

Brown form with stripes, 1961

Figurative foundation

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2010

Joanna Gilmour explores the life and art of the Australian artist Janet Dawson.

Lottie Lyell as Doreen by Monte Luke

Their brilliant careers

Magazine article by Jenny Gall, 2017

Jenny Gall delves into Starstruck to celebrate some of Australian cinema’s iconic women.

Irina Baronova (handing on the baton)

Handing on the baton

Magazine article by Michael Desmond, 2009

Michael Desmond explores the life of ballerina Irina Baranova through the portrait by Australian artist Jenny Sages.

Mal Meninga

Mal Meninga, 2018

by Peter Hudson
General content

Commissioned with funds provided by Maliganis Edwards Johnson and Alan Dodge AM 2018

Part of the crew of His Majesty's Ship Guardian endeavouring to escape in the boats

South-bound and down

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2013

Joanna Gilmour recounts the story of ill-fated sea voyages in the early stages of the Antipodean colony.

Guns and roses, 2006

Obey

Magazine article by Michael Desmond, 2009

Michael Desmond investigates the street art of Shepard Fairey, who was catapulted to fame during the 2008 presidential election with his resonant image of Barack Obama.

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.

Karen Gillan, 2010

Hot Scots

Magazine article by Christopher Baker, 2013

James Holloway describes the first portraits you encounter when entering the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.

Osher, 2018 by Stephen Baccon

Snap chat

Magazine article by Anne O'Hehir, 2019

2019 National Photographic Portrait Prize judge Anne O’Hehir looks beneath the surface of this year’s entries.

Margaret Anderson

The line of fire

Magazine article by Michelle Fracaro, 2005

Michelle Fracaro examines the life of World War II nurse Margaret Anderson, whose portrait by Napier Waller is in the NPG collection.

General Birdwood, the Idol of Anzac, taking a dip in the sea after a hard days work 1915

In the thick of it

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2010

Projecting the splendour of the empire, and the resolve of its subjects, the bust of William Birdwood keeps a stiff upper lip in the National Portrait Gallery.

National Portrait Gallery

History

About us

How the National Portrait Gallery and its unique collection came to be

Fred Hilmer

Fred Hilmer, 2018

by Evert Ploeg
General content

Commissioned with funds provided by Dr Helen Nugent AO 2018

Self portrait, 1786 by John Kay

Alternative virtue

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2015

Joanna Gilmour presents John Kay’s portraits of a more infamous side of Edinburgh.

Portrait of Ingvar Kenne, 2012 by Simon Harsent

Simon Harsent

Finalist interviews

I like to think I'm an artist who uses photography as my medium, but I work commercially as a photographer and it's my full time occupation so I guess that defines me as a photographer or maybe a commercial artist?

Mrs NR Mackintosh (Anne) by Ruth Hollick

Natural, artistic and unselfconscious

Magazine article by Angus Trumble, 2016

Angus Trumble gazes at the once bright star of photographer Ruth Hollick.

Pat Mackie

Blue Collar Icon

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2005

Dr Sarah Engledow delves into the life of union leader Pat Mackie who is depicted in a portrait by Nancy Borlase AM.

Portrait of Elizabeth Gould with a raptor, possibly a red-footed falcon (Falco vespertinus), painted in her lifetime Artist unknown

Birds of a feather

Magazine article by Annette Twyman, 2021

Charting a path from cockatiel to finch, Annette Twyman explores her family portraits and stories.

Queen Victoria
Queen Victoria
Queen Victoria

Queen Victoria, 1901

The Illustrated London News after Jean Joseph Benjamin-Constant
Portrait, photogravure on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2018

Portrait of HRH Crown Princess Mary, 2006 by Ralph Heimans

Dane reign

Magazine article by Mette Skougaard and Thomas Lyngby, 2018

Mette Skougaard and Thomas Lyngby bring eloquent context to Ralph Heimans’ portraits of Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark.

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.

William Shakespeare, c. 1600-1610  associated with John Taylor

Take thy face hence

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2022

Joanna Gilmour travels through time to explore the National Portrait Gallery London’s masterpieces in Shakespeare to Winehouse.

Six and Out

Jumpstart

Magazine article by Helena Bezzina, 2009

Jessica Herrington won the inaugural National Youth Self Portrait Prize in 2008 with a work about the difficulty we have revealing ourselves in front of the camera.

Portrait of Thea Proctor, 1905 by George Lambert

The real Thea

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2015

Long after the portraitist became indifferent to her, and died, a beguiling portrait hung over its subject.

Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, 2006

The painter and the princess

Magazine article by Michael Desmond, 2006

Michael Desmond interviews Ralph Heimans about his portrait of Crown Princess Mary of Denmark.

Mary Chomley

Women make history

Magazine article by Jennifer Higgie, 2022

Jennifer Higgie uncovers the intriguing stories behind portraits of women by women in the National Portrait Gallery’s collection.

Drawing Australia

Drawing power

Magazine article by Eileen Adams, 2006

The National Portrait Gallery joins the Big Draw, a program dedicated to promoting drawing as a tool for thought, creativity, social and cultural engagement.

Alan Goldberg

Beyond the bow tie

About Face article

Nathan Faiman delves into the rich life story and legacy of Alan Goldberg.

George and Jemima Billet with family

Costantini's convictions

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2017

Jo Gilmour uncovers endearing authenticity in the art of a twice-transported Tasmanian.

Dame Mabel Brookes

The hands have it

Magazine article by Angus Trumble, 2016

Angus Trumble treats the gallery’s collection with a dab hand.

Une Femme Amoureuse, Self portrait as Mireille Mathieu, 2022 Yvette Coppersmith

You, looking at me

Magazine article by Elspeth Pitt, 2022

Elspeth Pitt chats with Archibald Prize-winning artist Yvette Coppersmith about performance, coincidences and the intersection of art and life.

Lyndall Hobbs and Marilyn at the Come as your favourite blonde party, Blitz Club, London, 1979 Robert Rosen

Shiny, happy people

Magazine article by Glynis Jones, 2022

Glynis Jones on the Powerhouse’s retrospective of one of Australia’s foremost fashion reportage and social photographers.

Hell's mouth, 2019 Cam Neville

Facing the inferno

About Face article

Tara James speaks to Cam Neville about his portrait series, Firefighters.

Captain W Kinghorne

The bright-eyed Mariner

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2008
A new colonial portrait brings a zealous captain near.
Hardtmuth 'Hottie' Lahm

Hottie's Snifter to port

Magazine article by Peter Jeffrey, 2016

Peter Jeffrey trips the hound nostalgic.

Artist and wife near Arthurs Seat, 1969

Through blue eyes

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2009

Works by Arthur Boyd and Sidney Nolan bring the desert, the misty seashore and the hot Monaro plains to exhibition Open Air: Portraits in the landscape.

Henry Lawson

Regarding Henrys

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2015

Sarah Engledow ponders the divergent legacies of Messrs Kendall and Lawson.

Painter John Brack with Professor Alex Mitchell and Sir Garfield Barwick
Painter John Brack with Professor Alex Mitchell and Sir Garfield Barwick
Painter John Brack with Professor Alex Mitchell and Sir Garfield Barwick

Painter John Brack with Professor Alex Mitchell and Sir Garfield Barwick, c. 1977

Jozef Vissel
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Gift of the Jozef Vissel 2015

Nicole Kidman

9 lives of Karin Catt

Magazine article by Simon Elliott, 2006

Australian photographer Karin Catt has shot across the spectrum of celebrity, her subjects including rock stars, world leaders and actors.

Andrew Sayers

Andrew Sayers AM FAHA

13 October 2015
Archived media releases 2015

The Chairman, Board, Director and staff mourn the loss of the National Portrait Gallery's inaugural director.

Portrait sketch of Nellie Melba

Doodles of the Diva

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2010

Three tiny sketches of Dame Nellie Melba in the NPG collection were created by the artist who was to go on to paint the most imposing representation of the singer: Rupert Bunny.

Beau Dean Riley Smith, Wiradjuri and Gamilaraay nations, Bennelong, 2017

Space in between

Magazine article by Rebecca Ray, 2022

Rebecca Ray goes backstage with Bangarra’s Head of Design and photographer Jacob Nash.

Opening of the First Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia by H.R.H. The Duke of Cornwall and York, May 9, 1901, 1903 by Tom Roberts

Empire records

Magazine article by Kylie Scroope, 2011

Celebrates the centenary of the first national art collection, the Historic Memorials Collection, housed at Australia's Parliament House.

Captain James Cook

Rethinking foundational histories

Magazine article by Kate Fullagar, 2019

A focus on Indigenous-European relationships underpins Facing New Worlds. By Kate Fullagar.

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.

The last of England 1855

Pre-Raphaelite Profile

Magazine article by Michael Desmond, 2006

In 2006 the National Portrait Gallery acquired a splendid portrait of Victoria's first governor, Lieutenant Governor Charles Joseph La Trobe by Thomas Woolner.

Study for commissioned portrait of HRH Crown Princess Mary of Denmark (profile head study)

Australian Princess

Magazine article by Katherine Russell, 2005

The full-length portrait of HRH Crown Princess Mary of Denmark by artist Jiawei Shen, has become a destination piece for visitors.

Professor Peter Doherty

Friends and Acquaintances

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2005

Dr. Sarah Engledow discusses a collection of drawings and prints by the Victorian artist Rick Amor acquired in 2005.