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.

Dr Phillip Law
Dr Phillip Law
Dr Phillip Law

Dr Phillip Law, 1974

Dallas Hawes
Portrait, oil on canvas

Gift of Dr Phillip Law 2000. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Phillip Gudthaykudthay
Phillip Gudthaykudthay
Phillip Gudthaykudthay

Phillip Gudthaykudthay, 1986

Martin van der Wal
Portrait, inkjet print on rag paper

Purchased 2005

Phillip Noyce
Phillip Noyce
Phillip Noyce

Phillip Noyce, 2002 (printed 2004)

Karin Catt
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Purchased 2005

In the Lounge, 2006 by North Sullivan

In the Lounge, 2006

by North Sullivan
Image
Philip Noyce on the set of 'Heatwave', Sydney
Philip Noyce on the set of 'Heatwave', Sydney
Philip Noyce on the set of 'Heatwave', Sydney

Philip Noyce on the set of 'Heatwave', Sydney, 1981 (printed 2000)

David Moore
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

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

Arthur Phillip Esq., Captain General and Commander in Chief in & over the territory of New South Wales
Arthur Phillip Esq., Captain General and Commander in Chief in & over the territory of New South Wales
Arthur Phillip Esq., Captain General and Commander in Chief in & over the territory of New South Wales

Arthur Phillip Esq., Captain General and Commander in Chief in & over the territory of New South Wales, 1789

W Sherwin after Francis Wheatley
Portrait, engraving on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2010

Phillip Parker King
Phillip Parker King
Phillip Parker King

Phillip Parker King, 1854

Thomas Woolner
Portrait, cast plaster

Purchased 2000

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.

Maria Kozic and Philip Brophy 1, 1981
Maria Kozic and Philip Brophy 1, 1981
Maria Kozic and Philip Brophy 1, 1981

Maria Kozic and Philip Brophy 1, 1981, 1981 (printed 2012)

Robert Rooney
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2012

Arthur Phillip Esq., Captain General and Commander in Chief in & over the territory of New South Wales
Arthur Phillip Esq., Captain General and Commander in Chief in & over the territory of New South Wales
Arthur Phillip Esq., Captain General and Commander in Chief in & over the territory of New South Wales

Arthur Phillip Esq., Captain General and Commander in Chief in & over the territory of New South Wales, 1789

W Sherwin, John Stockdale after Francis Wheatley
Portrait, stipple engraving on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2014

Lieutenant King
Lieutenant King
Lieutenant King

Lieutenant King, 1789

William Skelton after J. Wright
Portrait, engraving on paper

Purchased 2010

Men at Work, The Jam Factory, (Colbee Court) Phillip, ACT, 1981 'pling

Men at Work, The Jam Factory, (Colbee Court) Phillip, ACT

'pling
Image
Men at Work, The Jam Factory, (Colbee Court) Phillip, ACT, 1981 'pling

Men at Work, The Jam Factory, (Colbee Court) Phillip, ACT

'pling
Image
Men at Work, The Jam Factory, (Colbee Court) Phillip, ACT, 1981 'pling

Men at Work, The Jam Factory, (Colbee Court) Phillip, ACT

'pling
Image
Men at Work, The Jam Factory, (Colbee Court) Phillip, ACT, 1981 'pling

Men at Work, The Jam Factory, (Colbee Court) Phillip, ACT

'pling
Image
Lord Viscount Sydney
Lord Viscount Sydney
Lord Viscount Sydney

Lord Viscount Sydney, c. 1790

John Young after Gilbert Stuart
Portrait, mezzotint on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2012

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.

David Collins Esq
David Collins Esq
David Collins Esq

David Collins Esq, 1804

Anthony Cardon after John T. Barber
Portrait, stipple engraving on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2015

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

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

an unknown artist
Portrait, engraving on paper

Purchased 2014

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

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

an unknown artist
Portrait, engraving on paper

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

'Night studio No. 2', 2021 Cynthia Breusch

'Night studio No. 2'

Cynthia Breusch
Image
Betty Churcher

Betty Churcher

About Face article

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

Treaties for madmen only, 2008 by Matthew Regan

Treaties for madmen only, 2008

by Matthew Regan
Image
Reg Livermore, Pitt Street, Sydney
Reg Livermore, Pitt Street, Sydney
Reg Livermore, Pitt Street, Sydney

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

Robert McFarlane
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Purchased 2020

John Pascoe Fawkner
John Pascoe Fawkner
John Pascoe Fawkner

John Pascoe Fawkner, c. 1867

Batchelder & Company Photo
Portrait, albumen photograph on carte de visite

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2008

William Robertson
William Robertson
William Robertson

William Robertson, 1866

Thomas Adams Hill
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

Charles Joseph La Trobe
Charles Joseph La Trobe
Charles Joseph La Trobe

Charles Joseph La Trobe, c. 1857

Samuel Bellin after Francis Grant
Portrait, mezzotint on paper

Purchased 2010

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

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

John Murphy after George Romney
Portrait, mezzotint on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2014

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

Buckley discovering himself to the early settlers, 1869

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

Purchased 2009

'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

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

Robert Banks Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool, 1827

Charles Turner after Sir Thomas Lawrence
Portrait, mezzotint on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2015

Betty Churcher
Betty Churcher
Betty Churcher

Betty Churcher, 2008

Adam Knott
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Purchased 2013

Portrait of Lady Eyre Williams (Jessie Gibbon)

Here’s looking at you, kid

Devotion

Is he thinking of me?

Sarah Tuckfield
Sarah Tuckfield
Sarah Tuckfield

Sarah Tuckfield, c. 1854

an unknown artist
Portrait, oil on canvas

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the Freer Tuckfield family 2010
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

Francis Tuckfield
Francis Tuckfield
Francis Tuckfield

Francis Tuckfield, c. 1854

an unknown artist
Portrait, oil on canvas

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the Freer Tuckfield family 2010
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

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

Self portrait
Self portrait
Self portrait

Self portrait, 2006

Judy Cassab AO CBE
Portrait, oil on board

Gift of Dr Phillip Dutton and Valerie Dutton 2013. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Opening of the First Legislative Council of Victoria by Governor Charles Joseph LaTrobe at St Patrick's Hall, Bourke Street West, Melbourne November 13th 1851
Opening of the First Legislative Council of Victoria by Governor Charles Joseph LaTrobe at St Patrick's Hall, Bourke Street West, Melbourne November 13th 1851
Opening of the First Legislative Council of Victoria by Governor Charles Joseph LaTrobe at St Patrick's Hall, Bourke Street West, Melbourne November 13th 1851

Opening of the First Legislative Council of Victoria by Governor Charles Joseph LaTrobe at St Patrick's Hall, Bourke Street West, Melbourne November 13th 1851, 1883

John Noone after William Strutt
Portrait, photolithograph on paper

Purchased 2013

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

The Right Honourable Lord Viscount Melbourne, 1839

Charles Turner after Sir George Hayter
Portrait, mezzotint on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2013

Portrait of Ruth Cracknell as the Sibyl
Portrait of Ruth Cracknell as the Sibyl
Portrait of Ruth Cracknell as the Sibyl

Portrait of Ruth Cracknell as the Sibyl, 1995

Rosemary Valadon
Portrait, oil on canvas

Purchased 2000

Sir Charles Nicholson
Sir Charles Nicholson
Sir Charles Nicholson

Sir Charles Nicholson, 1854

Thomas Woolner
Portrait, cast bronze relief medallion

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased through the Foundation Acquisitions Fund 2015

William Lamb, Baron Melbourne
William Lamb, Baron Melbourne
William Lamb, Baron Melbourne

William Lamb, Baron Melbourne, 1832

Samuel Freeman, Fisher, Son & Co London after Sir Thomas Lawrence
Portrait, engraving on paper

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

Betty Churcher
Betty Churcher
Betty Churcher

Betty Churcher, 1994

Anne Zahalka
Portrait, ilfochrome photograph on paper

Gift of the artist 2021

Henry Wade
Henry Wade
Henry Wade

Henry Wade, c. 1841

an unknown artist
Portrait, oil on paperboard

Gift of the Wade and Hannah families 2013

Toni Maticevski
Toni Maticevski
Toni Maticevski

Toni Maticevski, 2009 (printed 2010)

Dave Tacon
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 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.

Robert Brown
Robert Brown
Robert Brown

Robert Brown, c. 1835

Dario Castellini after Carlo Liverati
Portrait, lithograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2014

William Robertson junior
William Robertson junior
William Robertson junior

William Robertson junior, c. 1857

Conway Hart
Portrait, oil on canvas

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2017

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

William St Leonards Robertson, c. 1865

an unknown artist
Portrait, ambrotype, hand coloured

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

Edward Henty
Edward Henty
Edward Henty

Edward Henty, late 19th century

an unknown artist
Portrait, oil on canvas

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Tim Clark 2018

Sir Zelman Cowen
Sir Zelman Cowen
Sir Zelman Cowen

Sir Zelman Cowen, 2000

Wes Walters
Portrait, oil on canvas

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Marc Besen AO and Dr Joseph Brown AO OBE 2000

Charles Joseph La Trobe
Charles Joseph La Trobe
Charles Joseph La Trobe

Charles Joseph La Trobe, 1853

Thomas Woolner
Portrait, cast bronze relief medallion

Purchased 2006

Men of the Day No.19
Men of the Day No.19
Men of the Day No.19

Men of the Day No.19 "A great Med'cine-Man among the Inqui-ring Redskins" (Thomas Henry Huxley), 1871

Carlo Pellegrini, Vanity Fair Magazine
Portrait, chromolithograph on paper

Purchased 2015

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.

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.

Wendy Sharpe
Wendy Sharpe
Wendy Sharpe

Wendy Sharpe, 2000

Greg Weight
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

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

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

Trukanini
Trukanini
Trukanini

Trukanini, n.d.

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

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

Robert Rooney, self portrait December 1978
Robert Rooney, self portrait December 1978
Robert Rooney, self portrait December 1978

Robert Rooney, self portrait December 1978, 1978 (printed 2012)

Robert Rooney
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2012

image not online

Dr Sarah Engledow

Biography

Dr Sarah Engledow was appointed Historian at the National Portrait Gallery in 1999.

Wayne Blair
Wayne Blair
Wayne Blair

Wayne Blair, 2007 (printed 2014)

Ingvar Kenne
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

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

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

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

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

Benjamin Law
Portrait, cast plaster, painted

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2010

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.

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

Automatic for the people: Casey Stoner
Automatic for the people: Casey Stoner
Automatic for the people: Casey Stoner

Automatic for the people: Casey Stoner, 2008

Scott Redford
Portrait, Laser-cut vinyl and computer print on aluminium composite sheet, painted custom-wood frame

Commissioned with funds provided by Tim Fairfax AC 2008

Rosaleen Norton, Witch of Kings Cross

Rennie Ellis

Aussies All
Previous exhibition, 2006

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

Bungaree, late chief of the Broken Bay tribe, Sydney

Heads of the People

A Portrait of Colonial Australia
Previous exhibition, 2000

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

Margaret Robertson
Margaret Robertson
Margaret Robertson

Margaret Robertson, c. 1863

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

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

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

HM Queen Elizabeth II

Portrait story

Magazine article by Polly Borland, 2022

Photographer Polly Borland on capturing Queen Elizabeth II.

Portrait of Captain James Cook RN

The 1780s to the 1840s

Mo and beard timeline

Eighteenth century men differed from those of the preceding centuries in their preference for beardlessness.

Portrait of Mr Frank Packer

Judy Cassab

The artist's diary
Previous exhibition, 2013

The artist's diary profiles six decades of Cassab's work, from the early portrait commissions of the 1950s to later paintings that have helped confirm her eminent place in the canon of Australian portraiture.

Tom Wills
Tom Wills
Tom Wills

Tom Wills, c. 1857 (printed c. 1905-1910)

an unknown artist
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on grey paper on card

Gift of T S Wills Cooke 2014. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

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

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.

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.

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

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

Benjamin Law
Portrait, cast plaster, painted

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2010

Sir Les Patterson
Sir Les Patterson
Sir Les Patterson

Sir Les Patterson, 1999

Polly Borland
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2001

Cormac and Callum, 2008 by Ingvar Kenne

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2009

Previous exhibition, 2009

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

Rick Amor in the mirror, 2008

Times like these

Magazine article by Gavin Fry, 2010

Gavin Fry examines the art and career of the Australian painter Rick Amor.

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.

Portrait of Lady Eyre Williams (Jessie Gibbon)

Chance encounter

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2009

Joanna Gilmour explores the life and times of one of Melbourne's early socialites, Jessie Eyre Williams.

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.

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.

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.

Louis XVI giving final instructions to the Comte de La Perouse, c. 1785

Sea legged frogs

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2011

Joanna Gilmour describes some of the stories of the individuals and incidents that define French exploration of Australia and the Pacific.

In the Lounge, 2006 by North Sullivan

Seduce, Amuse, Entertain

NPPP 2007 exhibition essay
General content

Michael Desmond, National Photographic Portrait Prize judge and curator, introduces the 2007 Prize.

The hunting lodge, 2007

Seduce Amuse Entertain

Magazine article by Michael Desmond, 2007

Michael Desmond profiles a handful of the entrants in first National Photographic Portrait Prize and notes emerging themes and categories.

Aretha Brown in front of her New Shakahari Wall Mural Commission at La Mama Theatre, Carlton, 2023 Mark Mohell

Aretha Brown

In conversation
Magazine article by Rebecca Ray, 2023

Gumbaynggirr artist Aretha Brown talks street art, collaboration and ghost stories with First Nations Curator and Meriam woman, Rebecca Ray.

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

Our achievements to date

Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2023–25

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

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

South-bound and down

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2013

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

Nicole Kidman

Australians in Hollywood

Magazine article by Simon Elliott, 2003

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

Kinky Night. Impressions Club, 1987

Aussies all

Magazine article by Simon Elliott, 2006

The exhibition Aussies all features the ecclectic portrait photography of Rennie Ellis which captures Australian life during the 70s and 80s.

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.

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.

Barry Humphries

No Laughing Matter

Magazine article by Simon Elliott, 2002

The biographical exhibition of Barry Humphries was the first display of its kind at the National Portrait Gallery.

image not online

Forum participants

General content

Biographies of participants in the Writing lives, revealing lives forum.

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

Birds of a feather

Magazine article by Annette Twyman, 2021

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

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.

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.

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.

Annette Kellerman, c. 1916

Naked ambition

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2009

Joanna Gilmour dives into the life of Australian swimming legend Annette Kellerman.

A woman of New South Wales, c. 1840

More cash than dash

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2011

Joanna Gilmour describes how colonial portraitists found the perfect market among social status seeking Sydneysiders.

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.

Waterfall in Australia, c. 1830 by Augustus Earle

Augustus serendipitous

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2016

The London-born son of an American painter, Augustus Earle ended up in Australia by accident in January 1825. 

The artist and her family, c. 1854 by Martha Berkeley

Presence and absence

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2018

The art of Australia’s colonial women painters affords us an invaluable, alternative perspective on the nascent nation-building project.

Tom Wills, c. 1870 by William Handcock

Secure the shadow ere the substance fade

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2015

The tragic tale of Tom Wills, the ‘inventor’ of Australian Rules Football.

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.

© 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