Skip to main content
Menu

The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

The Catholic Hierarchy of Australia
The Catholic Hierarchy of Australia
The Catholic Hierarchy of Australia

The Catholic Hierarchy of Australia, 1869

Archibald McDonald, Henry Samuel Sadd
Portrait, albumen photograph on carte de visite

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2010

James, Rebecca and Sam Mapu
James, Rebecca and Sam Mapu
James, Rebecca and Sam Mapu

James, Rebecca and Sam Mapu, 2021

James Tylor, Craig Tuffin, Dr Elisa deCourcy
Portrait, 1/4 plate daguerreotype in a leather case lined with Nantu Watpa Grey Kangaroo fur

Purchased 2022

Tracey Moffatt dreaming
Tracey Moffatt dreaming
Tracey Moffatt dreaming

Tracey Moffatt dreaming, 2017

James Horan
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Gift of the artist 2019

James Gleeson

James Gleeson

In their own words
In their own words

Recorded 1962

Tom Keneally, 2011 by James Brickwood

Tom Keneally, 2011

by James Brickwood
Image
Sasha and Gus, 2014 by Amanda James

Sasha and Gus, 2014

by Amanda James
Image
The shield, 2009 by James Geer

The shield, 2009

by James Geer
Image
Adam Goodes, 2019 James Brickwood

Adam Goodes, 2019

James Brickwood
Image
Neato with Daniel, 2015 by James Geer

Neato with Daniel, 2015

by James Geer
Image
Troye Sivan, 2018 by James Brickwood

Troye Sivan, 2018

by James Brickwood
Image
Gus and full moon at the farm, 2006 by Amanda James

Gus and full moon at the farm, 2006

by Amanda James
Image
Alex and Doug Dunn, 2013 by James Brickwood

Alex and Doug Dunn, 2013

by James Brickwood
Image
Self-portrait with flowers (presumed native), 2015 by Liam James

Self-portrait with flowers (presumed native), 2015

by Liam James
Image
Geo Face Distributor
Geo Face Distributor
Geo Face Distributor

Geo Face Distributor, 2009

James Angus
Portrait, enamel paint on cast aluminium

Commissioned with funds donated by L Gordon Darling AC CMG 2009

Study for
Study for
Study for

Study for "Portrait of the artist as an evolving landscape", 1991

James Gleeson
Portrait, pencil, charcoal and paper collage on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Ray Wilson OAM in memory of James Agapitos OAM 2011
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

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.

Riverboat Rod & Ruby, 2022 James Bugg

Riverboat Rod & Ruby

James Bugg
Image
Olympian, 2021 James Brickwood

Olympian

James Brickwood
Image
Kevin at Midnight, 2020 James J. Robinson

Kevin at Midnight

James J. Robinson
Image
James Iyuna
James Iyuna
James Iyuna

James Iyuna, 1986

Martin van der Wal
Portrait, inkjet print on rag paper

Purchased 2005

James T. Donovan
James T. Donovan
James T. Donovan

James T. Donovan, 1892

Tom Roberts
Portrait, oil on canvas

Purchased 2015

Sir James Vernon
Sir James Vernon
Sir James Vernon

Sir James Vernon, 1978

Max Dupain OBE
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

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

Portrait of Sir James Oswald Fairfax
Portrait of Sir James Oswald Fairfax
Portrait of Sir James Oswald Fairfax

Portrait of Sir James Oswald Fairfax, 1929

W.A. Bowring
Portrait, oil on canvas

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

Ian Thorpe
Ian Thorpe
Ian Thorpe

Ian Thorpe, 2002

James Houston
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2002

Ian Thorpe
Ian Thorpe
Ian Thorpe

Ian Thorpe, 2002

James Houston
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2002

Hell's mouth, 2019 Cam Neville

Facing the inferno

About Face article

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

Frederick Burnaby, 1870 James Jacques Tissot

Frederick Burnaby

James Jacques Tissot
Image
James Macarthur
James Macarthur
James Macarthur

James Macarthur, c. 1836-1838

an unknown artist
Portrait, black and bronze ink with white bodycolour highlight on buff board

Purchased 2019

Sir James Reading Fairfax
Sir James Reading Fairfax
Sir James Reading Fairfax

Sir James Reading Fairfax, 1898

Tom Roberts
Portrait, oil on canvas laid on board

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

James Robert Millar Robertson
James Robert Millar Robertson
James Robert Millar Robertson

James Robert Millar Robertson, 1926

W.A. Bowring
Portrait, oil on canvas

Gift of the descendants of James Robert Millar Robertson 2011

James Morrison with flugelhorn
James Morrison with flugelhorn
James Morrison with flugelhorn

James Morrison with flugelhorn, 1994

Kerrie Lester
Portrait, oil and hand-stitching on canvas

Purchased 1999. Courtesy of the Corrigan family and Stuart Purves.

James Oswald Fairfax
James Oswald Fairfax
James Oswald Fairfax

James Oswald Fairfax, c. 1991

Bryan Westwood
Portrait, oil on canvas

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

James Mollison
James Mollison
James Mollison

James Mollison, c. 1973 (printed 2004)

Wesley Stacey
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Gift of James Mollison AO 2004

Clive James
Clive James
Clive James

Clive James, 1999

Polly Borland
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Purchased 2001

James Mollison
James Mollison
James Mollison

James Mollison, c. 1973 (printed 2004)

Wesley Stacey
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of James Mollison AO 2004

Reverend James Buller
Reverend James Buller
Reverend James Buller

Reverend James Buller, 1864

Batchelder & O'Neill
Portrait, carte de visite photograph

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2010

Sir James Hardy
Sir James Hardy
Sir James Hardy

Sir James Hardy, c. 1975 (printed 2002)

Lewis Morley
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

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

James Raymond
James Raymond
James Raymond

James Raymond, c. 1845-1850

an unknown artist
Portrait, oil on canvas

Gift of Lydia Raymond Day 2010. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Sir James Gobbo
Sir James Gobbo
Sir James Gobbo

Sir James Gobbo, 1983

Paul Fitzgerald AM
Portrait, synthetic polymer paint on canvas

Gift of Mercy Health and Aged Care 2006

Blue Mountain, Owner, Trainer, Jockey, James Scobie
Blue Mountain, Owner, Trainer, Jockey, James Scobie
Blue Mountain, Owner, Trainer, Jockey, James Scobie

Blue Mountain, Owner, Trainer, Jockey, James Scobie, 1887

Frederick Woodhouse
Portrait, oil on canvas

Purchased 2008

James McClelland
James McClelland
James McClelland

James McClelland, 1946

Nancy Borlase AM
Portrait, oil on composition board

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Gillian Appleton (McClelland) 1999
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

James Macpherson Grant
James Macpherson Grant
James Macpherson Grant

James Macpherson Grant, c. 1870s

Paterson Brothers
Portrait, carte de visite photograph

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of John McPhee 2018

James Gleeson
James Gleeson
James Gleeson

James Gleeson, 1974 (printed 2014)

Douglas Thompson
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2015

Reg, 2012 by James Brickwood

Reg, 2012

by James Brickwood
Image
James Gleeson
James Gleeson
James Gleeson

James Gleeson, 1995

Greg Weight
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

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

Sir James Balderstone
Sir James Balderstone
Sir James Balderstone

Sir James Balderstone, 1989

Sir William Dargie CBE
Portrait, oil on canvas

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

Sir James McNeill
Sir James McNeill
Sir James McNeill

Sir James McNeill, 1980

Sir William Dargie CBE
Portrait, oil on canvas

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

James Swan
James Swan
James Swan

James Swan, c. 2000

Penny Tweedie
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2004

Major James Semple-Lisle
Major James Semple-Lisle
Major James Semple-Lisle

Major James Semple-Lisle, c. 1799

J. Harding
Portrait, engraving on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2009

Tracey Moffatt dreaming, 2017 by James Horan

Tracey Moffatt dreaming, 2017

by James Horan
Image
Adam Goodes
Adam Goodes
Adam Goodes

Adam Goodes, 2019

James Brickwood
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Purchased 2022

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.

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

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

Geo Face Distributor

Abstraction and figuration

Magazine article by Dr Christopher Chapman, 2009

James Angus discusses his major sculpture commission Geo Face Distributor with Christopher Chapman.

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

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.

Captain Wilson
Captain Wilson
Captain Wilson

Captain Wilson, 1819

Freeman, T Hamilton
Portrait, Engraving on paper

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

Therese Desmond
Therese Desmond
Therese Desmond

Therese Desmond, 1919-1920

James Burnside
Portrait, watercolour on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Madeleine Howell 2013

A Chief Secretary
A Chief Secretary
A Chief Secretary

A Chief Secretary "Blunt, but Honest" [The Hon. James Goodall Francis], 1874

Tom Durkin, The Weekly Times
Portrait, lithograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2016

Jasperware medallion of Captain James Cook
Jasperware medallion of Captain James Cook
Jasperware medallion of Captain James Cook

Jasperware medallion of Captain James Cook, 1779

Wedgwood and Bentley
Portrait, white on blue Jasper Ware in oval shaped wood and gilt frame

Purchased with funds provided by Robert Oatley AO 2007

image not online

Sir James Forrest, 1978

William Boissevain
Portrait, oil on canvas

Gift of Alcoa World Alumina Australia 2005. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Portrait of Captain James Cook RN
Portrait of Captain James Cook RN
Portrait of Captain James Cook RN

Portrait of Captain James Cook RN, 1782

John Webber
Portrait, oil on canvas

Purchased by the Commonwealth Government with the generous assistance of Robert Oatley AO and John Schaeffer AO 2000

A Politician
A Politician
A Politician

A Politician "Unlock the Lands!" [The Hon. James MacPhearson Grant], 1874

Tom Durkin, The Weekly Times
Portrait, lithograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2016

Archbishop James Goold
Archbishop James Goold
Archbishop James Goold

Archbishop James Goold, c. 1870

Archibald McDonald
Portrait, albumen paper carte de visite

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2010

Dr James Moorhouse
Dr James Moorhouse
Dr James Moorhouse

Dr James Moorhouse, 1878-1879

Thomas Foster Chuck and Son
Portrait, carte de visite photograph

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2010

The Hon. Sir James Dowling
The Hon. Sir James Dowling
The Hon. Sir James Dowling

The Hon. Sir James Dowling, c. 1860

Henry Samuel Sadd
Portrait, mezzotint on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2012

The Hon. James Whyte
The Hon. James Whyte
The Hon. James Whyte

The Hon. James Whyte, c. 1874

John Hubert Newman
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

Archbishop James Knox
Archbishop James Knox
Archbishop James Knox

Archbishop James Knox, n.d.

Louis Kahan AO
Portrait, pencil and gouache on paper

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

Bishop James Moore
Bishop James Moore
Bishop James Moore

Bishop James Moore, c. 1888-1889

Thomas Foster Chuck
Portrait, carte de visite photograph

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2010

The Royal Society medal in commemoration of Captain James Cook
The Royal Society medal in commemoration of Captain James Cook
The Royal Society medal in commemoration of Captain James Cook

The Royal Society medal in commemoration of Captain James Cook, 1784

Lewis Pingo
Portrait, silver medal

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds provided by Robert Oatley AO 2007

A Right Worshipful.
A Right Worshipful.
A Right Worshipful.

A Right Worshipful. "He objects to Ladies" [James Gatehouse, Mayor of Melbourne, 1874-1875], 1874

Tom Durkin, The Weekly Times
Portrait, lithograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2018

Nick Farr-Jones
Nick Farr-Jones
Nick Farr-Jones

Nick Farr-Jones, 2019

James Brickwood
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Commissioned with funds from the Patrick Corrigan Portrait Commission Series 2019

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

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.

Portrait of Captain James Cook RN

The hand of Captain Cook

Google Arts and Culture
Learning resources

Take a close look at a portrait with a hidden message in its hands. For Year 7 – 9 students.

Omai
Omai
Omai

Omai, 1777

James Caldwall after William Hodges
Portrait, copper-line engraving on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2010

Le Cap.ne Jacques Cook, Membre de la Société Royale des Londres
Le Cap.ne Jacques Cook, Membre de la Société Royale des Londres
Le Cap.ne Jacques Cook, Membre de la Société Royale des Londres

Le Cap.ne Jacques Cook, Membre de la Société Royale des Londres, c. 1778

Robert Bénard
Portrait, engraving on paper

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

Douglas Mawson
Douglas Mawson
Douglas Mawson

Douglas Mawson, 1933

Henry James Haley
Portrait, oil on canvas laid on board

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Gareth Mawson Thomas and Pamela Karran-Thomas of the Mawson family 2010
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

Captain Cook

'The photojournalists of their time'
Portrait story

An exploration of the role of artists such as John Webber who, whilst a member of Cook’s crew over many voyages, created paintings and drawings of the situations and people the explorers encountered.

A Victorian Knight
A Victorian Knight
A Victorian Knight

A Victorian Knight "Thrice Chief Secretary" [Sir James McCulloch K.C.M.G.], 1874

Tom Durkin, The Weekly Times
Portrait, lithograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2016

James Horatio Nelson Cassell
James Horatio Nelson Cassell
James Horatio Nelson Cassell

James Horatio Nelson Cassell, late 1840s to early 1850s

an unknown artist
Portrait, daguerreotype

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2018

'The portraits of Captain Cook'

An interview with Betty Churcher
Portrait story

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

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. 

Blue Mountain, Owner, Trainer, Jockey, James Scobie

Sure thing

Magazine article by Michael Desmond, 2009

Blue Mountain, Owner, Trainer, Jockey, James Scobie 1887 by Frederick Woodhouse Snr. is a portrait of James Scobie, well known jockey and eminent horse trainer.

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

Portrait of Captain Edward Riou
Portrait of Captain Edward Riou
Portrait of Captain Edward Riou

Portrait of Captain Edward Riou, 1801

James Heath after Samuel Shelley
Portrait, stipple engraving on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2011

John Monash

Lauded legacy

Magazine article by Karl James, 2015

Karl James gives short shrift to doubts about the profile of General Sir John Monash.

John Hawkesworth LLD
John Hawkesworth LLD
John Hawkesworth LLD

John Hawkesworth LLD, c. 1850 (originally 1776)

James Watson after Sir Joshua Reynolds
Portrait, mezzotint on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2015

Captain Cook's Tablet at Cape Solander, Botany Bay, New South Wales
Captain Cook's Tablet at Cape Solander, Botany Bay, New South Wales
Captain Cook's Tablet at Cape Solander, Botany Bay, New South Wales

Captain Cook's Tablet at Cape Solander, Botany Bay, New South Wales, 1839

G E. Madeley after John Lhotsky
Portrait, lithograph on paper

Purchased 2018

John Monash
John Monash
John Monash

John Monash, 1919

James Quinn
Portrait, oil on canvas

Gift of John Colin Monash Bennett 2007. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Captain James King, engraving after Webber
Captain James King, engraving after Webber
Captain James King, engraving after Webber

Captain James King, engraving after Webber, 1784

Francesco Bartolozzi after John Webber
Portrait, engraving on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds provided by Robert Oatley AO 2007

Captain James Cook, engraving after John Webber
Captain James Cook, engraving after John Webber
Captain James Cook, engraving after John Webber

Captain James Cook, engraving after John Webber, 1784

Francesco Bartolozzi after John Webber
Portrait, engraving on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds provided by Robert Oatley AO 2007

a Postmaster General (Sir James Fergusson)
a Postmaster General (Sir James Fergusson)
a Postmaster General (Sir James Fergusson)

a Postmaster General (Sir James Fergusson), 1892

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

Purchased 2014

Sir James Martin
Sir James Martin
Sir James Martin

Sir James Martin, c. 1880s

Henry Samuel Sadd after Freeman Brothers
Portrait, mezzotint on paper

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

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.

View of Owhyhee in the Sandwich Islands in the south Seas (The Death of Cook)
View of Owhyhee in the Sandwich Islands in the south Seas (The Death of Cook)
View of Owhyhee in the Sandwich Islands in the south Seas (The Death of Cook)

View of Owhyhee in the Sandwich Islands in the south Seas (The Death of Cook), 1787-1788

Francis Jukes after John Cleveley
Portrait, aquatint, hand coloured on paper

Purchased with funds provided by the Liangis family 2012

Portrait of Captain James Cook RN

Capturing Cook

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2003

In focussing on the importance of gifts in the building of the collection, prominence must be given to the most spectacular of the National Portrait Gallery's acquisitions; the portrait of Captain James Cook RN by John Webber R.A.

Portrait of Captain James Cook RN

Thrown together

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2009

Shipmates for years, James Cook and Joseph Banks each kept a journal but neither man shed light on their relationship.

Jean Francois de Galaup de la Perouse, Commodore in the French Navy
Jean Francois de Galaup de la Perouse, Commodore in the French Navy
Jean Francois de Galaup de la Perouse, Commodore in the French Navy

Jean Francois de Galaup de la Perouse, Commodore in the French Navy, 1798

James Heath, G G & J Robinson
Portrait, engraving on paper

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

Cook
Cook
Cook

Cook, n.d.

an unknown artist after Antoine Maurin
Portrait, engraving, hand coloured on paper

Gift of Ted and Gina Gregg 2012

Captain James Cook
Captain James Cook
Captain James Cook

Captain James Cook, 1837

William Holl, Fisher, Son & Co London after Nathaniel Dance
Portrait, engraving on paper

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

General Sir Thomas Makdougall Brisbane
General Sir Thomas Makdougall Brisbane
General Sir Thomas Makdougall Brisbane

General Sir Thomas Makdougall Brisbane, 1850 (published)

James Faed, W Wilding after John Watson Gordon
Portrait, mezzotint on paper

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

The Death of Captain Cook
The Death of Captain Cook
The Death of Captain Cook

The Death of Captain Cook, 1784

Francesco Bartolozzi, William Byrne after John Webber
Portrait, engraving on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds provided by Robert Oatley AO 2007

Captain James Cook from the original in the Naval Gallery, Greenwich Hospital
Captain James Cook from the original in the Naval Gallery, Greenwich Hospital
Captain James Cook from the original in the Naval Gallery, Greenwich Hospital

Captain James Cook from the original in the Naval Gallery, Greenwich Hospital, c. 1837

William Holl, Peter Jackson, London & Paris after Nathaniel Dance
Portrait, engraving on paper

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

Radical Restraint 
Justice Michael Kirby

Judicial portraits

Magazine article by Leslie Moran, 2007

Leslie Moran investigates the portraits of judges in the National Portrait Gallery's collection.

Norman Gunston and Denise Drysdale
Norman Gunston and Denise Drysdale
Norman Gunston and Denise Drysdale

Norman Gunston and Denise Drysdale, 1976 (printed 2010)

Bruce Postle
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds provided by James Bain AM and Janette Bain 2010

Theresa and James Laidley Mort
Theresa and James Laidley Mort
Theresa and James Laidley Mort

Theresa and James Laidley Mort, 1844

William Nicholas
Portrait, watercolour and gouache on paper

Gift of the Mort family 2009

Captain James Cook FRS
Captain James Cook FRS
Captain James Cook FRS

Captain James Cook FRS, 1784

Thomas Cook
Portrait, engraving on paper

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

James – back to life, 2014 by Alan McDonald

James – back to life, 2014

by Alan McDonald
Image
Henry James, 1913 John Singer Sargent

Henry James

John Singer Sargent
Image
First Responder - James Graham, 2021 Betina Fauvel-Ogden

First Responder - James Graham

Betina Fauvel-Ogden
Image
Betina Fauvel-Ogden and James Graham

Betina Fauvel-Ogden and James Graham

Vox pops

Well, James is my partner's son-in-law, and I've known him for quite a long time.

Anne Hyde, Duchess of York and King James II, c. 1661-1662 Sir Peter Lely

Anne Hyde, Duchess of York and King James II

Sir Peter Lely
Image
James, 2010 by Dean McCartney

James, 2010

by Dean McCartney
Image
James, 2012 by Myles Nelson

James, 2012

by Myles Nelson
Image
James, 2009 by Nicole Marie

James, 2009

by Nicole Marie
Image
Ruby James (Inma), 2019 Adele Wilkes

Ruby James (Inma)

Adele Wilkes
Image
James Vu Anh Pham and Tara Jade Samaya from 'The Knowledge Between Us', n.d. Pippa Samaya

James Vu Anh Pham and Tara Jade Samaya from 'The Knowledge Between Us'

Pippa Samaya
Image
James Chung Gon
James Chung Gon
James Chung Gon

James Chung Gon, 2017

Pamela See
Portrait, papercut silhouette drawing

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2019

Art Handlers' Award NPPP 2019 video: 1 minute

Art Handlers' Award 2019

James & Michelle
General content

The Art Handlers' Award for 2019 went to A Calm So Deep, 2018 by Elizabeth Looker.

Art Handlers' Award 2020

James & Jessica
General content

The Art Handlers' Award for 2020 went to Gemma Baxter (right view), 2019 by Shea Kirk.

Art Handlers Award 2021

Art Handlers' Award 2021

James & Jessica
General content

The Art Handlers' Award for 2021 went to Kristina Kraskov for I'm just a suburban fashionista.

Engagement, 8, 2017 by Timothy James Coad

Engagement, 8, 2017

by Timothy James Coad
Image
Fragility my freedom – Ink blot mind, 2011 by Aaron James McGarry, video: 6 minutes

Fragility my freedom – Ink blot mind, 2011

by Aaron James McGarry
General content

Finalist, iD2012

Anne, 2022 Nathan Dyer

Anne

Nathan Dyer
Image

Annual lecture 2012 photos

1 August 2012
General content

With James Holloway, former Director of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.

Arthur James Balfour, 1st Earl of Balfour, exhibited 1891 Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema

Arthur James Balfour, 1st Earl of Balfour

Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema
Image
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.

John Perceval painting
John Perceval painting
John Perceval painting

John Perceval painting, 1958

Fred Williams
Portrait, drypoint on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of James Mollison AO 2007

Portrait 31

March - May 2009
Magazine

This issue features the new National Portrait Gallery building, James Cook and John Banks, Cate Blanchett, Irina Baranova, Annette Kellerman, Shepard Fairey and more.

Portrait 34

December 2009 - February 2010
Magazine

This issue features Australian cricketers, surfing legend Isabel Letham, Christos Tsiolkas, Bob Brown's portrait by Harold 'The Kangaroo' Thornton, James Angus, virtual portraits and more.

Living Memory Finalist interviews

Finalist interviews

General content

Tara James, Exhibitions Coordinator at the National Portrait Gallery interviews Finalists from the Living Memory National Photographic Portrait Prize.

A Goldfields Member
A Goldfields Member
A Goldfields Member

A Goldfields Member "The Dove of Ararat" [The Hon. William McLellan M.L.A], 1874

Tom Durkin, The Weekly Times
Portrait, lithograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2016

Sir Warwick Fairfax
Sir Warwick Fairfax
Sir Warwick Fairfax

Sir Warwick Fairfax, 1981

Bryan Westwood
Portrait, oil on canvas

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of John Fairfax Holdings Ltd 2002
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

Ellen Stirling

Don’t judge a book by its cover

Lust

You saucy minx

Tim Jarvis
Tim Jarvis
Tim Jarvis

Tim Jarvis, 2018

Doug Gimesy
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2019

Untitled 3, 2016 by Jo Cripps

Untitled 3, 2016

by Jo Cripps
Image
Maggie

Maggie Beer

In Gallery One
Previous exhibition, 2023

Our most recent commission, the portrait of Maggie Beer by Del Kathryn Barton both combines a statuesque almost devotional likeness with a spell-binding and dream-like personalised symbology of the sitter.

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

Portrait of Mrs Fairfax, n.d.

an unknown artist
Portrait, oil on canvas

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of John Fairfax Holdings Ltd 2002
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

Ian Thorpe

Contemporary Australian Portraits

Previous exhibition, 2002

Contemporary Australian Portraits is a cross section, a sampling, of some of the present-day directions in Australian portrait practice

James Mccabe Executed Jany. 6th 1826

The consolations of religion

A bushranger meets his maker, 6 January 1826
About Face article

James McCabe provides proof that hanging wasn’t necessarily a fate reserved for the perpetrators of murder and other deeds of darkest hue. 

Portrait 50 hits the shelves

1 September 2015
Archived media releases 2015

With contributions from Julia Gillard, Fiona Gruber, and Dr Karl James, the National Portrait Gallery’s 50th edition of Portrait has something for everyone.

'awk' (Bob Hawke)
'awk' (Bob Hawke)
'awk' (Bob Hawke)

'awk' (Bob Hawke), 1972

Frank Hinder
Portrait, fibre-tipped pen on paper

Gift of HOTA (Home of the Arts), Gold Coast 2019 with the encouragement of Patrick Corrigan AM

Living Memory winner announcement video: 26 minutes

Winner announcement

General content

Director Karen Quinlan AM announces the winner at the National Portrait Gallery.

image not online

Donors

$10,000 - $49,999
Honour board
Max, 2020 Rachel Mounsey

Max

Rachel Mounsey
Image

Akira Isogawa

Inside the patterns
Portrait story

Iconic Australian fashion designer, Akira Isogawa discusses the development of his unique style.

Joel Pratley

Joel Pratley

Finalist interviews

An interview with Joel Pratley, Winner of the Living Memory National Photographic Portrait Prize.

Leith Alexander video: 20 minutes

Leith Alexander

Finalist interviews

An interview with Leith Alexander, Finalist in the Living Memory National Photographic Portrait Prize.

Glen Braithwaite video: 27 minutes

Glen Braithwaite

Finalist interviews

An interview with Glen Braithwaite, Finalist in the Living Memory National Photographic Portrait Prize.

Sandy Scheltema video: 37 minutes

Sandy Scheltema

Finalist interviews

An interview with Sandy Scheltema, Finalist in the Living Memory National Photographic Portrait Prize.

Jessica Hromas video: 44 minutes

Jessica Hromas

Finalist interviews

An interview with Jessica Hromas, Finalist in the Living Memory National Photographic Portrait Prize.

Tajette O'Halloran video: 30 minutes

Tajette O'Halloran

Finalist interviews

An interview with Tajette O'Halloran, Finalist in the Living Memory National Photographic Portrait Prize.

Franky Tsang video: 28 minutes

Franky Tsang

Finalist interviews

An interview with Franky Tsang, Finalist in the Living Memory National Photographic Portrait Prize.

Clare M. Lapworth video: 19 minutes

Clare M. Lapworth

Finalist interviews

An interview with Clare Lapworth, Finalist in the Living Memory National Photographic Portrait Prize.

Glenn Homann video: 34 minutes

Glenn Homann

Finalist interviews

An interview with Glenn Homann, Finalist in the Living Memory National Photographic Portrait Prize.

Julian Kingma video: 43 minutes

Julian Kingma

Finalist interviews

An interview with Julian Kingma, Finalist in the Living Memory National Photographic Portrait Prize.

Jarrod Vero video: 24 minutes

Jarrod Vero

Finalist interviews

An interview with Jarrod Vero, Finalist in the Living Memory National Photographic Portrait Prize.

Dion Georgopoulos video: 46 minutes

Dion Georgopoulos

Finalist interviews

An interview with Dion Georgopoulos, Finalist in the Living Memory National Photographic Portrait Prize.

Teurai, 2011 by BILLIEJEANISNOTMYLOVER

Teurai, 2011

by BILLIEJEANISNOTMYLOVER
Image
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.

Kristina Kraskov video: 14 minutes

Kristina Kraskov

Finalist interviews

An interview with Kristina Kraskov, Finalist and Art Handlers' Award winner in the Living Memory National Photographic Portrait Prize.

image not online

Portrait of Captain James Cook RN

The Quiet Australian

Magazine article by Brian Dale, 2001

Robert Oatley talks about the repatriation of the John Webber portrait of Captain James Cook.

Thomas Sutcliffe Mort and his wife Theresa
Thomas Sutcliffe Mort and his wife Theresa
Thomas Sutcliffe Mort and his wife Theresa

Thomas Sutcliffe Mort and his wife Theresa, c. 1847

an unknown artist, Thomas Wharton
Portrait, daguerreotype in a pinchbeck case

Purchased 2001

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

Johnny, 2006 by Sean Hobbs

Johnny, 2006

by Sean Hobbs
Image
William Ashton
William Ashton
William Ashton

William Ashton, c. 1940s

Max Dupain OBE
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

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

Ambrose Hallen
Ambrose Hallen
Ambrose Hallen

Ambrose Hallen, 1937

Lina Bryans
Portrait, oil on composition board

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Sir James and Lady Cruthers 2001

Thomas Howard, 14th Earl of Arundel, 1629 Sir Peter Paul Rubens

Thomas Howard, 14th Earl of Arundel

Sir Peter Paul Rubens
Image
Sir Walter Ralegh (Raleigh), 1588 Unknown artist

Sir Walter Ralegh (Raleigh)

Unknown artist
Image
Marianne Egan and her children Gertrude Evans Cahuac and Henry William Cahuac
Marianne Egan and her children Gertrude Evans Cahuac and Henry William Cahuac
Marianne Egan and her children Gertrude Evans Cahuac and Henry William Cahuac

Marianne Egan and her children Gertrude Evans Cahuac and Henry William Cahuac, 1857

an unknown artist
Portrait, oil on canvas

Purchased with funds provided by the Liangis family 2014

Nell Gwyn, c. 1680 Simon Verelst

Nell Gwyn

Simon Verelst
Image
Ellen Stirling
Ellen Stirling
Ellen Stirling

Ellen Stirling, c. 1828

Thomas Phillips
Portrait, oil on canvas

Purchased with funds provided by the Ian Potter Foundation 2008

John Fairfax
John Fairfax
John Fairfax

John Fairfax, 1873

Charles Summers
Portrait, carrara marble

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

Hosting a touring exhibition

National Portrait Gallery touring exhibitions

Information for galleries who would like to host an NPG exhibition.

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

Spencer 2016, by Warwick Baker

Tough & Tender

Previous exhibition, 2016

Art by Warwick Baker, Chris Burden, Larry Clark, Rozalind Drummond, Nan Goldin, Robert Mapplethorpe and Collier Schorr explores personal relations, individual expression and fluid identity.

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

Sketch for portrait of Bart Cummings
Sketch for portrait of Bart Cummings
Sketch for portrait of Bart Cummings

Sketch for portrait of Bart Cummings, 1986

Bryan Westwood
Portrait, oil on canvas

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2002

Princess Elizabeth, Queen of Bohemia and Electress Palatine, c. 1610 Robert Peake the Elder

Princess Elizabeth, Queen of Bohemia and Electress Palatine

Robert Peake the Elder
Image
Portrait of Captain James Cook RN

In the National Interest

Magazine article by Andrew Sayers AM, 2003

In focussing on the importance of gifts in the building of the collection, prominence must be given to the most spectacular of the National Portrait Gallery's acquisitions; the portrait of Captain James Cook RN by John Webber R.A.

Louise Jane Jopling (née Goode, later Rowe), 1878 Sir John Everett Millais 1st Bt

Louise Jane Jopling (née Goode, later Rowe)

Sir John Everett Millais 1st Bt
Image
Geoffrey Graham
Geoffrey Graham
Geoffrey Graham

Geoffrey Graham, 1941

Max Dupain OBE
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

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

The Sculling Match at Sydney for the Championship of the World
The Sculling Match at Sydney for the Championship of the World
The Sculling Match at Sydney for the Championship of the World

The Sculling Match at Sydney for the Championship of the World, 1877

an unknown artist, The Australasian Sketcher
Portrait, wood engraving on paper

Purchased 2015

Prince Charles Edward Stuart, 1738 Louis Gabriel Blanchet

Prince Charles Edward Stuart

Louis Gabriel Blanchet
Image
Battye Blue, 2005 by Phoenix Battye

Headspace 6

Who Am I?
Previous exhibition, 2005

The sixth in the National Portrait Gallery’s series of student exhibitions, will feature 200 portrait artworks, both two and three-dimensional, from secondary school students from across Australia

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

Presence and Absence

Portrait Sculpture in Australia
Previous exhibition, 2003

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

Portrait of Dr John Bradfield
Portrait of Dr John Bradfield
Portrait of Dr John Bradfield

Portrait of Dr John Bradfield, c. 1920-1924

Reginald Jerrold-Nathan
Portrait, oil on canvas

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the family of Dr J J C Bradfield 2006
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

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

'Timbere sauvage de la nouvelle galles du sud en grand costume (Relache au Port Jackson)'
'Timbere sauvage de la nouvelle galles du sud en grand costume (Relache au Port Jackson)'
'Timbere sauvage de la nouvelle galles du sud en grand costume (Relache au Port Jackson)'

'Timbere sauvage de la nouvelle galles du sud en grand costume (Relache au Port Jackson)', 1822

Pierre Langlume after Jacques Etienne Victor Arago
Portrait, lithograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2011

Sir Arvi Parbo
Sir Arvi Parbo
Sir Arvi Parbo

Sir Arvi Parbo, 1993

Sir William Dargie CBE
Portrait, oil on canvas

Gift of Alcoa World Alumina Australia 2005. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

In memory of the Rev William Hill
In memory of the Rev William Hill
In memory of the Rev William Hill

In memory of the Rev William Hill, 1869

Charles Wherrett
Portrait, albumen silver carte de visite

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2010

King Charles I, 1628 Gerrit van Honthorst

King Charles I

Gerrit van Honthorst
Image
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

Sir Arvi Parbo
Sir Arvi Parbo
Sir Arvi Parbo

Sir Arvi Parbo, 1992

Brian Dunlop
Portrait, oil on canvas

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

Corroboree, or Dance of the Natives of New South Wales
Corroboree, or Dance of the Natives of New South Wales
Corroboree, or Dance of the Natives of New South Wales

Corroboree, or Dance of the Natives of New South Wales, 1820

Walter Preston
Portrait, engraving, hand coloured on paper

Purchased 2013

Anders Ousback
Anders Ousback
Anders Ousback

Anders Ousback, 1986 (printed 2018)

Gary Ede
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Purchased 2018

Dr Solander
Dr Solander
Dr Solander

Dr Solander, 1772

an unknown artist
Portrait, copper-line engraving on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2009

Joseph Banks and Dr Solander
Joseph Banks and Dr Solander
Joseph Banks and Dr Solander

Joseph Banks and Dr Solander, 1778

an unknown artist
Portrait, engraving on paper

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

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.

Self portrait
Self portrait
Self portrait

Self portrait, 1909

Bess Norriss Tait
Portrait, watercolour and bodycolour on cardboard

Purchased with funds provided by Barbara and Jim Higgins 2010

Betty Churcher
Betty Churcher
Betty Churcher

Betty Churcher, 2008

Adam Knott
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Purchased 2013

Henry Reynolds
Henry Reynolds
Henry Reynolds

Henry Reynolds, 2012

Dave Tacon
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2012

Oui-re-kine
Oui-re-kine
Oui-re-kine

Oui-re-kine, 1807-1817

Barthélemy Roger after Nicolas-Martin Petit
Portrait, engraving on paper

Purchased 2009

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.

Self-portrait, 1981 Robert Mappelthorpe

The Possibilities of Portraiture

Previous exhibition, 1999

What does 'portraiture mean at the end of the 20th century? At the outset of building a national portrait collection it seems an appropriate question to investigate.

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

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

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

Commissioned with funds from the Basil Bressler Bequest 2001

Maggie
Maggie
Maggie

Maggie, 2023

Del Kathryn Barton
Portrait, synthetic polymer paint and pigment liner on French linen

Commissioned with funds provided by Hayley and James Baillie 2023

Thomas Woolner

Missing Persons

Thomas Woolner in Australia
About Face article

Desperately seeking Woolner medallions

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.

Sir John Hay
Sir John Hay
Sir John Hay

Sir John Hay, 1887

Freeman Brothers
Portrait, albumen silver photograph on cabinet card

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2015

Bob Hawke
Bob Hawke
Bob Hawke

Bob Hawke, 2012

Luke Cornish
Portrait, hand-cut acetate stencil, aerosol enamel on canvas

Purchased 2013

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.

Nlle. Holland Port Jackson: Sauvages des environs de Sydney: Nani, Taran, Abinghou, Broten, Timbere
Nlle. Holland Port Jackson: Sauvages des environs de Sydney: Nani, Taran, Abinghou, Broten, Timbere
Nlle. Holland Port Jackson: Sauvages des environs de Sydney: Nani, Taran, Abinghou, Broten, Timbere

Nlle. Holland Port Jackson: Sauvages des environs de Sydney: Nani, Taran, Abinghou, Broten, Timbere, 1825

Jean Coutant after Jacques Etienne Victor Arago
Portrait, line engraving on paper

Purchased 2015

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

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

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

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

Sir Joseph Banks, Bt, 1771-1773 Sir Joshua Reynolds

Sir Joseph Banks, Bt

Sir Joshua Reynolds
Image
Burnum Burnum
Burnum Burnum
Burnum Burnum

Burnum Burnum, 1987 (printed 2010)

Bruce Postle
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Purchased with funds provided by James Bain AM and Janette Bain 2010

Betty Churcher

Tribute

Betty Churcher
Magazine article, 2015

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

William Dobell

A Tribute to William Dobell

Previous exhibition, 1999

Adapted from A Tribute to William Dobell an exhibition presented by the Australian National University's Drill Hall Gallery in association with the Sir William Dobell Art Foundation, The National Gallery of Australia, and the Australian War Memorial. Dobell is of course, celebrated for his achievements in portraiture, winning the Archibald prize (1943, 1948 and 1959), the Wynne Prize (1948), and representing Australia at the 1954 Venice Biennale. Curator Mary Eagle concludes her essay in the catalogue of the exhibition thus, "Overall I see a dissonance in Dobell’s art and life

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.

Charles John Fairfax
Charles John Fairfax
Charles John Fairfax

Charles John Fairfax, c. 1860

Edwin Dalton
Portrait, pastel on paper laid on canvas

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of John Fairfax Holdings Ltd 2002
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

The Honorable Sir Frederick Darley
The Honorable Sir Frederick Darley
The Honorable Sir Frederick Darley

The Honorable Sir Frederick Darley, c. 1887

Henry Samuel Sadd
Portrait, mezzotint on paper

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

Marilyn Darling AC
Marilyn Darling AC
Marilyn Darling AC

Marilyn Darling AC, 2010

Anne Zahalka
Portrait, colour transparency on lightbox

Commissioned with funds provided by Tim Fairfax AC 2010

John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich
John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich
John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich

John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, c. 1774

Valentine Green after Johann Zoffany
Portrait, mezzotint on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2015

Art Handlers' Award 2016

General content

The winner of our Art Handlers' Award receives $1000 and free return transport for their photograph, courtesy of International Art Services.

Portrait of Dr John Hawkesworth
Portrait of Dr John Hawkesworth
Portrait of Dr John Hawkesworth

Portrait of Dr John Hawkesworth, c. 1770

an unknown artist after Sir Joshua Reynolds
Portrait, oil on canvas

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds provided by the Liangis family 2018

Turia Pitt

2021 Annual Appeal

Annual Appeal

In 2021 the Annual Appeal was focussed on Peter Brew-Bevan's portraits of athletes Turia Pitt, Leisel Jones OAM and Ellie Cole OAM.

William Bligh

Welcome home, Captain Bligh

27 March 2015
Archived media releases 2015

The National Portrait Gallery will, next Tuesday, unveil an exciting new acquisition of irrefutable importance to all Australians. Portrait of William Bligh, in master’s uniform c. 1776, attributed to John Webber, is one of the earliest portraits of the contentious, historical figure, and extends the Gallery’s remarkable collection of early colonial portraits.

Greg Chappell
Greg Chappell
Greg Chappell

Greg Chappell, 1985 (printed 2010)

Bruce Postle
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds provided by James Bain AM and Janette Bain 2010

Portrait of Augustus Leopold Küper
Portrait of Augustus Leopold Küper
Portrait of Augustus Leopold Küper

Portrait of Augustus Leopold Küper, 1823

Johann Paul Georg Fischer
Portrait, watercolour over pencil on artist board

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2018

image not online

Annual Appeal

Listed by year
Honour board
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.

Max Walker
Max Walker
Max Walker

Max Walker, 1976 (printed 2010)

Bruce Postle
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds provided by James Bain AM and Janette Bain 2010

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.

Yellow portrait (portrait of Alex Jelinek)
Yellow portrait (portrait of Alex Jelinek)
Yellow portrait (portrait of Alex Jelinek)

Yellow portrait (portrait of Alex Jelinek), 1955

Lina Bryans
Portrait, oil on plywood

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Paul and James Bryans 2015. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Margel and Tarquin, Canberra
Margel and Tarquin, Canberra
Margel and Tarquin, Canberra

Margel and Tarquin, Canberra, c. 1945

Frank Hinder
Portrait, pen and ink, brush and ink and pencil on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds provided by the Ross family in memory of Noel and Enid Eliot 2014

John Fairfax
John Fairfax
John Fairfax

John Fairfax, c. 1860

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.

Tommy Woodcock and Reckless
Tommy Woodcock and Reckless
Tommy Woodcock and Reckless

Tommy Woodcock and Reckless, 1977 (printed 2010)

Bruce Postle
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds provided by James Bain AM and Janette Bain 2010

Margaret Fink
Margaret Fink
Margaret Fink

Margaret Fink, 1989

Kerrie Lester
Portrait, oil and hand-stitching with diamantes on canvas

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

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.

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.

Joseph Dalton Hooker
Joseph Dalton Hooker
Joseph Dalton Hooker

Joseph Dalton Hooker, c. 1880s

an unknown artist
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

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

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.

Sir Robert Gibson
Sir Robert Gibson
Sir Robert Gibson

Sir Robert Gibson, 1934

Paul Montford
Portrait, cast bronze on granite base

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of The Australian Industry Group 2012

Ben Chifley
Ben Chifley
Ben Chifley

Ben Chifley, n.d.

Max Dupain OBE
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

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

Tom E Lewis [Balang T E Lewis]
Tom E Lewis [Balang T E Lewis]
Tom E Lewis [Balang T E Lewis]

Tom E Lewis [Balang T E Lewis], n.d.

Juno Gemes
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Purchased 2021

Ron Grainer

Dr Who?

Magazine article by Simon Elliott, 2002

It is not well known that the person who composed the famous theme music for the BBC's Doctor Who series was Australian Ron Grainer.

Nicholas Paspaley Jnr
Nicholas Paspaley Jnr
Nicholas Paspaley Jnr

Nicholas Paspaley Jnr, 2018

Andrew Bonneau
Portrait, oil on canvas

Commissioned with funds provided by Ross Adler AC 2018

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.

image not online

Icons Syndicate

Lists alphabetically
Honour board
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. 

image not online

Mr Robert Oatley AO

Biography

Robert Oatley AO (1928–2016), businessman, was one of Australia’s most successful wine industry figures.

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

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.

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.

image not online

Portrait of Leslie Walford, 1970s

Vaike Liibus
Portrait, oil on canvas

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Sally Hardy 2019

Fred Hollows
Fred Hollows
Fred Hollows

Fred Hollows, 1993

Kerrie Lester
Portrait, oil and hand-stitching on canvas

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 1999
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.

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

Ruby (left view), 2022 Shea Kirk

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2023

Previous exhibition, 2023

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.

Billy Hughes bottle stopper
Billy Hughes bottle stopper
Billy Hughes bottle stopper

Billy Hughes bottle stopper, 1911-1921

Mashman Bros Ltd
Portrait, ceramic and cork

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2009

Nick Cave
Nick Cave
Nick Cave

Nick Cave, 1994

Bleddyn Butcher
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2002

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

A Calm So Deep, 2018 by Elizabeth Looker

The National Portrait Gallery Announces Art Handlers’ Award

18 February 2019
Archived media releases 2019

The National Portrait Gallery is excited to announce that Perth photographer Elizabeth Looker has won the Art Handlers’ Award for this year’s National Photographic Portrait Prize.

image not online

Supporters

$5,000 - $9,999
Honour board
John Farnham

Glossy - Faces Magazines Now

Previous exhibition, 1999

Magazines are the portrait galleries of the 90s... Glossy is about magazines. The exhibition presents the work of eight photographers, Australian by birth or long-term residency, who are producing portraits for publication in magazines around the world.

Dennis Lillee
Dennis Lillee
Dennis Lillee

Dennis Lillee, 1977 (printed 2010)

Bruce Postle
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds provided by James Bain AM and Janette Bain 2010

Sir Ian McLennan
Sir Ian McLennan
Sir Ian McLennan

Sir Ian McLennan, c. 1978

Bryan Westwood
Portrait, oil on board

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of BHP Billiton 2003
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.

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.

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

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.

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

Sir Robert Strong

All you can eat

Magazine article by Lauren Dalla, 2003

In February 2003 the National Portrait Gallery Circle of Friends brought Sir Robert Strong to Australia to present a series of lectures entitled The Artists & The Banquet- A History of Dining, which focused on the links between gardens and table decoration from the Renaissance to the Victorian Era.

Sir Ian Potter
Sir Ian Potter
Sir Ian Potter

Sir Ian Potter, 1973

Bryan Westwood
Portrait, oil on composition board

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Lady Primrose Potter 2006
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

James, Rebecca and Sam Mapu

Time and light

In Gallery Seven
Previous exhibition, 2023

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

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

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.

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

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

hey, Betty (Portrait of Betty Churcher), 1990

Davida Allen
Portrait, oil on plywood

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

Portrait of Captain James Cook RN

Robert Oatley AO

1928–2016
About Face article

The National Portrait Gallery mourns the loss of one our most generous benefactors, Robert Oatley AO.

Louise, daughter of the Hon. L. L. Smith by Tom Roberts, 1888

An Australian in Paris

About Face article

This week it is impossible not to contemplate the ways in which France has touched many Australian lives.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Nothing's as precious as a hole in the ground

Protest!

How can we dance when our earth is turning?
General content

Rock’s raw potency made it the ideal medium for fomenting protest. The 1970s, 80s and onwards saw calls for social and environmental justice ring out through song.

Jessie Robertson
Jessie Robertson
Jessie Robertson

Jessie Robertson, c. 1849

Thomas Bock
Portrait, pencil, chalk and gouache on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds provided by L Gordon Darling AC CMG and Marilyn Darling AC 2013

Sir Thomas Stamford Bingley Raffles, 1824 by James Thomson

Audacity, audacity, audacity

About Face article

Angus delves into the biographies of two ambitious characters; Sir Stamford Raffles and Sir John Pope-Hennessy.

Mr John Eason
Mr John Eason
Mr John Eason

Mr John Eason, 1838

W. B. Gould
Portrait, oil on canvas

Purchased with funds provided by the Liangis family 2013

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.

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.

A Goldfields Member

Showing character

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2016

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

Dr J.R. Vickery, O.B.E.
Dr J.R. Vickery, O.B.E.
Dr J.R. Vickery, O.B.E.

Dr J.R. Vickery, O.B.E., 1967

William Pidgeon
Portrait, oil on canvas

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the CSIRO Agriculture and Food Division 2017

Clive James

Golden Jubilee

Magazine article by Magda Keaney, 2002

Polly Borland's photograph of The Queen was commissioned by Buckingham Palace as part of a series of high profile celebrations to mark the Golden Jubilee.

Sir Thomas Gore-Browne
Sir Thomas Gore-Browne
Sir Thomas Gore-Browne

Sir Thomas Gore-Browne, 1864

J Walch & Sons
Portrait, tinted lithograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2018

Sydney Cove medallion, 1789 by Josiah Wedgwood

The medallion

About Face article

In recent years I have become fascinated by the so-called Sydney Cove Medallion (1789), a work of art that bridges the 10,000-mile gap between the newly established penal settlement at Port Jackson and the beating heart of Enlightenment England.

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.

Reverend Daniel Draper
Reverend Daniel Draper
Reverend Daniel Draper

Reverend Daniel Draper, c. 1866

Fredrick Charles Burman after John Cochran
Portrait, albumen paper carte de visite

Purchased 2010

Dr Peter Farrell

Giving and getting

Magazine article by Michael Desmond, 2006

The exhibition Portraits for Posterity celebrates gifts to the Gallery, of purchases made with donated funds, and testifies to the generosity and community spirit of Australians.

James, 2012 by Myles Nelson

Myles Nelson

Finalist interviews

It was definitely a candid encounter as was the expression on the face. It was constructed insofar as the image was deliberately taken from a distance so as to minimize intrusion and to magnify the effect of the image.

Georg von Neumayer
Georg von Neumayer
Georg von Neumayer

Georg von Neumayer, c. 1860

Johnstone & Co
Portrait, albumen paper carte de visite

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

Ian Roberts (after Coypel 1709)

Super League

Magazine article by David Sequeira, 2004

The portrait of Ian Roberts by Ross Watson.

Finalists announced for National Photographic Portrait Prize

14 November 2018
Archived media releases 2018

The National Portrait Gallery would like to congratulate the forty finalists for the National Photographic Portrait Prize 2019.

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.

Captain W Kinghorne

The bright-eyed Mariner

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

String of Pearls

Magazine article by Andrew Sayers AM, 2001

Andrew Sayers discusses the portrait of Dr Joan Croll AO by the Australian artist John Brack.

The Cutmear sisters, Jane and Lucy, c. 1842

A man of superior attainments

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2013

Joanna Gilmour explores the life of a colonial portrait artist, writer and rogue Thomas Griffiths Wainewright.

Unheroic Materialism: little harmless fragments of memory and association: a portrait of Angus Trumble, 2019 Evert Ploeg

The last word

Magazine article by Dr David Hansen, 2022

David Hansen’s tribute to his close friend, prince of words and former National Portrait Gallery director, the late Angus Trumble.

Joan Kerr
Joan Kerr
Joan Kerr

Joan Kerr, 2004

Peter Drewett
Portrait, pokerwork on spotted gum

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of James Semple Kerr 2004

Dovima with elephants, evening dress by Dior, Cirque d'Hiver, Paris, August 1955 by Richard Avedon

Richard Avedon People media information

8 August 2013
Archived media releases 2013

Press releases and images downloads for media.

Portrait of Dame Elisabeth Murdoch

The spirit of the gift

Magazine article by Andrew Sayers AM, 2003

Former NPG Director, Andrew Sayers celebrates the support given to the Gallery by Gordon and Marilyn Darling.

William Bligh

William Bligh

About Face article

The life of William Bligh offers up a handful of the most remarkable episodes in the history of Britain’s eighteenth and early nineteenth-century maritime empire.

Arthur Boyd's studio

Boyd to man

Magazine article by Dr Christopher Chapman, 2016

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

Tim Winton

2020 Annual Appeal

Annual Appeal

In 2020 the Annual Appeal was focussed on Sally Robinson's remarkable portrait of author Tim Winton.

Martha Mary Robertson
Martha Mary Robertson
Martha Mary Robertson

Martha Mary Robertson, 1866

Johnstone O'Shannessy & Co
Portrait, albumen photograph on 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

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

David Williamson

The Story So Far...

Magazine article by Simon Elliott, 2002

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

Nicholas Chevalier
Nicholas Chevalier
Nicholas Chevalier

Nicholas Chevalier, c. 1867

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

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

Megan Gale

Glamour vs grunge

Magazine article by Dr Christopher Chapman, 2010

Christopher Chapman examines the battle of glamour vs. grunge which played out in the fashion and advertising of the 1990s.

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

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?

Nicholas Paspaley Jnr

Nicholas Paspaley Jnr, 2018

by Andrew Bonneau
General content

Commissioned with funds provided by Ross Adler AC 2018

Face of South Sudan, 2012 by Melanie Faith Dove

Melanie Faith Dove

Finalist interviews

I had been watching Agnes with intrigue, her face and profile were so mesmerizing. On our final day together I pulled her aside and convinced her that she had such an amazing face that I needed to get a photograph for myself. It was very spontaneous in that I decided quickly how it would best look and shot it in only two frames.

The Destruction of the Kelly gang (from The Australasian Sketcher, 17 July 1880)
The Destruction of the Kelly gang (from The Australasian Sketcher, 17 July 1880)
The Destruction of the Kelly gang (from The Australasian Sketcher, 17 July 1880)

The Destruction of the Kelly gang (from The Australasian Sketcher, 17 July 1880), 1880

Tom Carrington, The Australasian Sketcher
Portrait, wood engraving on paper

Purchased 2017

Pierre de Rigaud de Vaudreuil de Cavagnial, Marquis de Vaudreuil, ca.1753-55

Canadian identities

Magazine article by Lilly Koltun, 2004

An exploration of national identity in the Canadian context drawn from the symposium Face to Face at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in 2004.

William Bligh

Old Blighty

Magazine article by Angus Trumble, 2016

Angus Trumble ponders the many faces of William Bligh.

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. 

image not online

Portrait Donors

Listed by year
Honour board
Part of the crew of His Majesty's Ship Guardian endeavouring to escape in the boats
Part of the crew of His Majesty's Ship Guardian endeavouring to escape in the boats
Part of the crew of His Majesty's Ship Guardian endeavouring to escape in the boats

Part of the crew of His Majesty's Ship Guardian endeavouring to escape in the boats, 1790

Robert Dodd
Portrait, aquatint on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2011

Karee Kayvon, 2006

Virtual lives

Magazine article by Gillian Raymond, 2007

A brief introduction to the Weird, Wired World of Internet Portraiture.

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.

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.

Self-portrait in white jacket , 1901-02 Hugh Ramsay

Wunderkind lost

Magazine article by Inga Walton, 2021

Inga Walton on the brief but brilliant life of Hugh Ramsay.

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.

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

Albert Jonas and John Xiniwe of The African Choir, 1891 London Stereoscopic Co.

Back in black

Magazine article by Krysia Kitch, 2017

Krysia Kitch reviews black chronicles at the National Portrait Gallery, London.

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.

Geoffrey Graham

The mind's eye

Magazine article by Dr Christopher Chapman, 2017

Christopher Chapman takes a trip through the doors of perception, arriving at the junction of surrealism and psychoanalysis.

Andrew Sayers AM

Past directors

History

Directors of the National Portrait Gallery from 1998 to today.

The National Portrait Gallery

In the galleries

Magazine article by Dr Christopher Chapman, 2009

Christopher Chapman highlights the inaugural hang of the new National Portrait Gallery building which opened in December 2008.

June Dally-Watkins

2023 Annual Appeal

Annual Appeal

In 2023 the Annual Appeal was focussed on a work by one of Australia's best loved and most successful portrait painters, Judy Cassab AO CBE, depicting model, entrepreneur and deportment icon, June Dally-Watkins OAM.

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.

Queen Victoria (1819-1901), Signed and dated 1843 by Franz Xaver Winterhalter

Queen Victoria

About Face article

Last Sunday I had the privilege of appearing at the Canberra Writers’ Festival in conversation with Julia Baird. The subject of our session was Julia’s recent biography, Victoria the Queen: An Intimate Biography of the Woman who Ruled an Empire.

Sandor Ferenczis 50th birthday dinner, Budapest, 1923

Less than six degrees of separation

Magazine article by Dr Anne Sanders, 2011

Anne Sanders finds connections in Inner Worlds between Hungarian expatriates and the development of psychoanalysis in Australia.

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.

Sir Lindesay Clark

The Stories Beneath

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2005
The Alcoa World Alumina Australia gift.
Cover, first minute book of the Tasmanian Society of Natural History

Embrace your inner nerd

About Face article

The southern winter has arrived. For people in the northern hemisphere (the majority of humanity) the idea of snow and ice, freezing mist and fog in June, potentially continuing through to August and beyond, encapsulates the topsy-turvidom of our southern continent.

General Sir Thomas Makdougall Brisbane

Seeing stars

Celebrating Science Week
About Face article

It has been suggested that Sir Thomas Brisbane’s interest in the New South Wales governorship was as attributable to his passion for astronomy as to the desirability of the position as a prestigious career move.

Hardtmuth 'Hottie' Lahm

Hottie's Snifter to port

Magazine article by Peter Jeffrey, 2016

Peter Jeffrey trips the hound nostalgic.

Lola Montes

You beauty

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2010

Joanna Gilmour explores the fact and fictions surrounding the legendary life of Irish-born dancer Lola Montez.

Sir Edward Holden

Promise Fulfilled

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2006

The life and achievements of Sir Edward Holden, who is represented in the portrait collection by a bust created by Leslie Bowles.

Study for Aunty Mary King, 2010 by Mathew Lynn

The animating signature

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2019

Joanna Gilmore delights in the affecting drawings of Mathew Lynn.

Frame from Self portrait, 2008

I walk the line

Magazine article by Michael Desmond, 2009

Bruce Petty's animated self portrait captures a life's journey compressed into a few minutes.

Andrew Sayers AM

Reflections on castles

Magazine article by Andrew Sayers AM, 2004

Andrew Sayers describes the unique characteristics of the international band of portrait galleries.

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.

Sir Joseph Banks

In a good paddock

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2011

Celebrating a new painted portrait of Joseph Banks, Sarah Engledow spins a yarn of the naturalist, the first kangaroo in France and Don, a Spanish ram.

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.

James Baldwin, writer, Harlem, New York 1945 by Richard Avedon

The Avedon effect

Magazine article by Dr Christopher Chapman, 2013

Dr Christopher Chapman explores how we can understand Richard Avedon's photographs.  

Portrait bust of Dr Christine Rivett

In the round

Magazine article by Andrew Sayers AM, 2009

Andrew Sayers outlines the highlights of the National Portrait Gallery's display of portrait sculpture.

The possessed, 1942 by Albert Tucker

The inner voice

Magazine article by Dr Christopher Chapman, 2011

Dr Christopher Chapman, curator of Inner Worlds: Portraits & Psychology looks at Albert Tucker's Heidelberg military hospital portraits.

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.

M H Wednesday 11.15am from the series Self-harm, 2004

Big it up

Magazine article by Magda Keaney, 2005

Former National Portrait Gallery Curator Magda Keaney was a member of the selection panel of the Schwepes Photographic Portrait Prize 2004 at the National Portrait Gallery London.

Dr Brown and Green Old Time Waltz

Where the wild things are

Magazine article by Michael Desmond, 2009

Michael Desmond explores the complex portrait of Dr Bob Brown by Harold 'The Kangaroo' Thornton.

Lady Jane Grey, c.1590-1600 (also known as The ‘Streatham’ portrait) Artist unknown

The Royal she

Magazine article by Inga Walton, 2019

Traversing paint and pixels, Inga Walton examines portraits of select women in Tudors to Windsors: British Royal Portraits.

Portrait of a Pioneer , 1917 
Violet Teague

Off her own bat

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2022

Joanna Gilmour profiles Violet Teague, whose sophisticated works hid her originality and non-conformity in plain sight.

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.

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

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.

Last Light Ellis Hutch

Reflections

General content

All that fall: Sacrifice, life and loss in the First World War exhibition co-curators Dr Anne Sanders and Dr Christopher Chapman reflect on the evolution of the Gallery’s Anzac Centenary exhibition.

Indexing, the art of

About Face article

The first index I created was for my first book, and, to my astonishment, that was almost twenty-five years ago.

Madame Sibly, Phrenologist and Mesmerist

Sibly irresistible

Magazine article by Alexandra Roginski, 2019

Alexandra Roginski reveals a forceful feminist figure in the colonial period’s slippery science, phrenology.

Life Dancers, 2015 by Elizabeth Looker

NPPP 2016 exhibition essay

General content

Penny Grist, National Photographic Portrait Prize judge and curator, introduces the 2016 Prize.

"Just what is it that makes today's homes so different, so appealing?", 1956

Pop goes the preconception

Magazine article by Paul Moorhouse, 2007

A National Portrait Gallery, London exhibition redefines portraiture, shifting the focus towards a new perspective on Pop Art.

Vincent Brady leading anti Bicentenary Protest, Brisbane, 1987 Michael Aird

Activating the space

Magazine article by Sandra Phillips, 2020

Sandra Phillips on portraits of Indigenous activism from Cairns Art Gallery’s 2019 Queen’s Land Blak Portraiture exhibition.

 

National Portrait Gallery

History

About us

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

Sir Sidney Kidman

The fat of the land

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2009

Sir Sidney Kidman (1857-1935) is inscribed in Australian legend as the ‘Cattle King’. 

Miss Alesandra, 2010

The more things change

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2011

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

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.

Australia (The Hon. Alfred Deakin)

Vanity fair

Magazine article by Ashleigh Wadman, 2012

Ashleigh Wadman rediscovers the Australian characters represented with a kindly touch by the British portrait artist Leslie Ward for the society magazine Vanity Fair.

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.

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.

Omai, Sir Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander, 1775-76

First encounters

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2011

Representations of the inhabitants of the new world expose the complexities of the colonisers' intentions.

Untitled, 2011 © Kelly Tunney

Something old, something new

Magazine article by Andrew Mayo, 2017

Andrew Mayo considers the changing face of modern wedding photography through the eyes of two of its finest exponents, Dan O’Day and Kelly Tunney.

Chairman Sid Myer AM, Hayley Baillie, Tim Bednall, Jillian Broadbent AC, Patrick Corrigan AM, Marilyn Darling AC, Tim Fairfax AC, Penny Fowler AM, John Liangis, Dr Helen Nugent AC and Nigel Satterley AM

Foundation Members

Foundation

Chairman Sid Myer AM, Hayley Baillie, Tim Bednall, Jillian Broadbent AC, Patrick Corrigan AM, Marilyn Darling AC, Tim Fairfax AC, Penny Fowler AM, John Liangis, Dr Helen Nugent AC and Nigel Satterley AM.

Penny Fowler AM, John Barrington AM, Heidi Victoria, Elizabeth Dibbs, Tom Mosby, Hayley Baillie, Hugo Michell, Elizabeth Pakchung, Valerie Tam

The Board

Governance & Board

The Board oversees the Gallery's strategic directions, objectives and governance.

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.

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.

Thomas Sutcliffe Mort and his wife Theresa

Tiny Trace of a Colonial Giant

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2004

At just 7.8 x 6.2 cm, the daguerreotype of Thomas Sutcliffe Mort and his wife Theresa is one of the smallest works in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery.

Mr John Eason

The shipwright's arms

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2013

Joanna Gilmour explores the life and times of convict-turned-artist William Buelow Gould.

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.

Portrait of William Manning, c.1821 by Henry Bone

Of beef in burgundy

Magazine article by Angus Trumble, 2017

Angus Trumble reveals the complex technical mastery behind a striking recent acquisition, Henry Bone’s enamel portrait of William Manning.

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.

Self portrait

Fine and dandy

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2010

Whether the result of misadventure or misdemeanour, many accomplished artists were transported to Australia where they ultimately left a positive mark on the history of art in this country.

Self Portrait with Stetson, 2011 by Darren McDonald

Painting them gently

Magazine article by Penelope Grist, 2015

Penny Grist on motivation, method and melancholy in the portraiture of Darren McDonald.

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.

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.

Chevalier d’Eon, 1792

All dressed up

Magazine article by Jane Raffan, 2013

Jane Raffan asks do clothes make the portrait, and can the same work with a new title fetch a better price?

The girls, 2017 by Tamara Dean

Snap decisions

Magazine article by Robert Cook, 2018

NPPP judge Robert Cook provides irreverent insight into this year’s fare, and having to be a bit judgemental.

Yellow portrait (portrait of Alex Jelinek)

Fugue in Yellow

Magazine article by Roger Benjamin, 2015

Roger Benjamin explores the intriguing union of Lina Bryans and Alex Jelinek.

Dr Edward MacMahon, 1959 by William Dobell

Bill and Ted's excellent portrait.

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2016

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

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.

Chang the Chinese giant and party

The portrait writ large

Magazine article by Karen Vickery, 2015

Karen Vickery on Chang the Chinese giant in Australia.

NPPP finalists

20 20

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2017

Sarah Engledow picks some favourites from a decade of the National Photographic Portrait Prize.

Revd Dr Robert Walker Skating on Duddingston Loch, c.1795 by Sir Henry Raeburn

Great Scots

Magazine article by Diana O'Neil, 2017

Diana O’Neil samples the tartan treats on offer in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.

Mr and Mrs Horace Keats in the

Heartfelt

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2009

The portrait of Janet and Horace Keats with the spirit of the poet Christopher Brennan is brought to life by artist Dora Toovey.

Charles Summers

The importance of being bearded

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2012

Joanna Gilmour discovers that the beards of the ill-fated explorers Burke and Wills were as epic as their expedition to traverse Australia from south to north.

Self-Portrait, 1981 by Don Bachardy

Drawing inspiration

Magazine article by Dr Christopher Chapman, 2017

Christopher Chapman absorbs the gentle touch of Don Bachardy’s portraiture.

Portrait of Captain James Cook RN

Unbuttoning uniforms

Magazine article by Sharon Peoples, 2017

Sharon Peoples contemplates costumes and the construction of identity.

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.

First-Class Marksman, 1946 by Sidney Nolan

Money for Myth

Magazine article by Jane Raffan, 2015

Australian character on the market by Jane Raffan.

Adrian Rawlins

Earth to earth

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2013

Dr Sarah Engledow discusses the recent gift of works by David Campbell.

The family

Big bouquet of Blackmans

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2013

Dr. Sarah Engledow explores the context surrounding Charles Blackman's portrait of Judith Wright, Jack McKinney and their daughter Meredith.

Eileen Dunne in The Hospital for Sick Children, 1940

The incomparable Beaton

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2005

To accompany the exhibition Cecil Beaton: Portraits, held at the NPG in 2005, this article is drawn from Hugo Vickers's authorised biography, Cecil Beaton (1985).

Self portrait

The Dissecting Room

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2015

Joanna Gilmour accounts for Australia’s deliciously ghoulish nineteenth century criminal portraiture. 

George Reid paperweight

Some prime ministers

General content

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

Asiel Timor Dei, ca. 1728 by a master of Calamarca

The Viceroyalty of New Spain

About Face article

European painters always enjoyed a good deal of latitude in the representation of angels, those asexual, bodiless, celestial regiments of God, so long as they were young and beautiful.

Forest Creek, Mount Alexander Diggings, 1852 by S. T. Gill

The Rothschilds, the Montefiores, and the Victorian Gold Rush

About Face article

Some years ago my colleague Andrea Wolk Rager and I spent several days in the darkened basement of a Rothschild Bank, inspecting every one of the nearly 700 autochromes created immediately before World War I by the youthful Lionel de Rothschild.

Self-portrait, 2015 by Rod McNicol

A spectral sentience

Magazine article by Aimee Board, 2019

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

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.

Billy Hughes paperweight

Mugshots

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2006

A toast to the acquisition of an unconventional new portrait of former Prime Minister, Stanley Melbourne Bruce.

Untitled #21/09 (after Ricci, 1700; featuring Matthew Mitcham)

Getting bare

Magazine article by Penelope Grist, 2015

How seven portraits within Bare reveal in a public portrait parts of the body and elements of life usually located in the private sphere.

Madame du Barry, 1791 by Richard Cosway

Little women

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2019

Joanna Gilmour looks beyond the ivory face of select portrait miniatures to reveal their sitters’ true grit.

Practising the Minuet (Miss Hilda Spong)

An actress and her fans

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2008

Dr. Sarah Engledow discovers the amazing life of Ms. Hilda Spong, little remembered star of the stage, who was captured in a portrait by Tom Roberts.

Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose, 1885-86 by 
John Singer Sargent

A feast of friends

Magazine article by Richard Ormond, 2015

John Singer Sargent: a painter at the vanguard of contemporary movements in music, literature and theatre.

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.

Sunset in the drawing room at Chesney Wold by Hablot Knight Brown

Portraiture in a Bleak House

About Face article

It may seem an odd thing to do at one’s leisure on a beautiful tropical island, but I spent much of my midwinter break a few weeks ago re-reading Bleak House.

Trevor Jamieson, 2016 by Brett Canet-Gibson

The more things change...

NPPP 2017 exhibition essay
General content

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

Helen Borthwick née Pearson

The personal and the historical

About Face article

Where do we draw a line between the personal and the historical? Although she died in Melbourne in 1975, when I was not quite eleven years old, I have the vividest memories of my maternal grandmother Helen Borthwick.

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

Prima facie

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2019

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

The Rajah quilt, 1841 by Kezia Hayter

Material culture

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2018

The Rajah Quilt’s narrative promptings are as intriguing as the textile is intricate.

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.

Anangu landscape learning

About Face article

Angus' initial perception of Uluru shifts, as he comes to see it as central to the entire order of Anangu life.

Christmas Island

About Face article

This is my last Trumbology before, in a little more than a week from now, I pass to my successor Karen Quinlan the precious baton of the Directorship of the National Portrait Gallery.

Dr Reg Hook

Inner Worlds and psychoanalysis

Lecture, 4 June 2011
General content

Inner Worlds evokes a broad view of psychology as a discipline. However, the specific interests of the practitioners whose portraits are included in the exhibition incorporate specialist areas including psychoanalysis.

Dr Christopher Chapman

The art of Inner Worlds

Lecture, 7 May 2011
General content

Dr Christopher Chapman NPG Curator of Inner Worlds explains the development of an exhibition that spans from Surrealism to contemporary art.

Lesley Harding

Faces of war

Lecture, 14 May 2011
General content

Lesley Harding, Curator, Heide Museum of Modern Art, Melbourne explores Albert Tucker’s experience of World War II, his interests in the intersection between psychology and creativity, and their influence on his portrait making.

Dr Anne Sanders

Less than six degrees of separation

Lecture, 28 May 2011
General content

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

© National Portrait Gallery 2024
King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia

Phone +61 2 6102 7000
ABN: 54 74 277 1196

The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

This website comprises and contains copyrighted materials and works. Copyright in all materials and/or works comprising or contained within this website remains with the National Portrait Gallery and other copyright owners as specified.

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. The use of images of works of art reproduced on this website and all other content may be restricted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Requests for a reproduction of a work of art or other content can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

The National Portrait Gallery is an Australian Government Agency