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

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

The New Arrivals at the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art
The New Arrivals at the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art
The New Arrivals at the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art

The New Arrivals at the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art, 1941

Russell Drysdale
Portrait, pen and pencil on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Bequest of Lady Maisie Drysdale 2001

Russell Drysdale

Russell Drysdale

In their own words
In their own words

Recorded 1960

The artist Marc Clark, 2019 Russell Shakespeare

The artist Marc Clark, 2019

Russell Shakespeare
Image
Peter Russell-Clarke

Peter Russell-Clarke

'Use whatever colour you like'
Portrait story

Peter Russell-Clarke on colour in painting and cooking.

Russell Drysdale
Russell Drysdale
Russell Drysdale

Russell Drysdale, c. 1945

Max Dupain OBE
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

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

Russell Drysdale
Russell Drysdale
Russell Drysdale

Russell Drysdale, 1960

Max Dupain OBE
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of L Gordon Darling AC CMG 2004
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

Self portrait
Self portrait
Self portrait

Self portrait, 2004

Peter Russell-Clarke
Portrait, synthetic polymer paint on cardboard

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2005

Self portrait

Peter Russell-Clarke

In their own words
In their own words

Recorded 2022

Russell Goward, Westmex
Russell Goward, Westmex
Russell Goward, Westmex

Russell Goward, Westmex,

Joe Greenberg
Portrait, watercolour, crayon, coloured pencil, ink, fibre-tipped pen and gouache on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2001

Tim Fairfax AC
Tim Fairfax AC
Tim Fairfax AC

Tim Fairfax AC, 2018

Russell Shakespeare
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Commissioned with funds provided by The Calvert-Jones Foundation 2018

Russell Sands
Russell Sands
Russell Sands

Russell Sands, n.d.

an unknown artist
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Purchased 2011

Russell Crowe
Russell Crowe
Russell Crowe

Russell Crowe, 1995 (printed 2016)

Stuart Spence
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2016

Russell Crowe
Russell Crowe
Russell Crowe

Russell Crowe, 2001 (printed 2004)

Karin Catt
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2005

Russell Drysdale, Woollahra, Sydney
Russell Drysdale, Woollahra, Sydney
Russell Drysdale, Woollahra, Sydney

Russell Drysdale, Woollahra, Sydney, 1964 (printed 2000)

David Moore
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

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

Russell Drysdale, Tallow Beach, New South Wales
Russell Drysdale, Tallow Beach, New South Wales
Russell Drysdale, Tallow Beach, New South Wales

Russell Drysdale, Tallow Beach, New South Wales, 1969 (printed 2000)

David Moore
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

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

Russell Page in Venice
Russell Page in Venice
Russell Page in Venice

Russell Page in Venice, 1997

Brenda L Croft
Portrait, triptych of type C photographs on paper

Purchased 2002

Russell Page in Venice, 1997 Brenda L Croft

Russell Page in Venice

Brenda L Croft
Image
Russell Page in Venice, 1997 Brenda L Croft

Russell Page in Venice

Brenda L Croft
Image
Russell Page in Venice, 1997 Brenda L Croft

Russell Page in Venice

Brenda L Croft
Image
Sir Walter Crocker
Sir Walter Crocker
Sir Walter Crocker

Sir Walter Crocker, 1995

Meredith Russell
Portrait, oil on canvas

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Dr Robert Crocker 2003

Some lads #1
Some lads #1
Some lads #1

Some lads #1, 1986

Tracey Moffatt
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Gift of the artist 1998. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

David Campese II

Inspiration + Realisation: John Singer Sargent

Magazine article by Katherine Russell, 2006

Katherine Russell examines the art of Australian artist Paul Newton, referencing the portraiture of John Singer Sargent.

Steve Waugh
Steve Waugh
Steve Waugh

Steve Waugh, 2001

Russell Shakespeare
Portrait, direct positive colour photograph

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2002

Portrait of Professor Graeme Clark

Inspiration + Realisation: Peter Wegner

Magazine article by Katherine Russell, 2006

Peter Wegner's approach to portraiture could be considered a visual record of the rapport, the dynamic space between artist and subject.

Henry Chamberlain Russell and family at Sydney Observatory
Henry Chamberlain Russell and family at Sydney Observatory
Henry Chamberlain Russell and family at Sydney Observatory

Henry Chamberlain Russell and family at Sydney Observatory, c. 1895

Charles Bayliss
Portrait, albumen silver photograph

Gift of Joanna Russell Maher (née Windeyer) 2018

Rada Penfold Russell
Rada Penfold Russell
Rada Penfold Russell

Rada Penfold Russell, n.d.

Louis Kahan AO
Portrait, pencil on paper

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

Russell Drysdale and Peter Sculthorpe, Tallow Beach, New South Wales
Russell Drysdale and Peter Sculthorpe, Tallow Beach, New South Wales
Russell Drysdale and Peter Sculthorpe, Tallow Beach, New South Wales

Russell Drysdale and Peter Sculthorpe, Tallow Beach, New South Wales, 1969 (printed 2000)

David Moore
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

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

Lady Flo, 2011 by Russell Shakespeare

Lady Flo, 2011

by Russell Shakespeare
Image
Portrait of Florence Broadhurst

Be bold

Magazine article by Katherine Russell, 2007

The name of Florence Broadhurst, one of Australia’s most significant wallpaper and textile designers, is now firmly cemented in the canon of Australian art and design.

Lord John Russell
Lord John Russell
Lord John Russell

Lord John Russell, 1844

Samuel Bellin after Thomas Heathfield Carrick
Portrait, mezzotint on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2014

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

Australian Princess

Magazine article by Katherine Russell, 2005

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

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

Stephen and Russell Page
Stephen and Russell Page
Stephen and Russell Page

Stephen and Russell Page, 1993 (printed 2011)

Robert Rosen
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Gift of Robert Rosen 2012

Russell Hopkinson (You Am I)
Russell Hopkinson (You Am I)
Russell Hopkinson (You Am I)

Russell Hopkinson (You Am I), 1995

Montalbetti + Campbell
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Gift of the artists 2003

Stephen Ridgeway and Stephen Russell
Stephen Ridgeway and Stephen Russell
Stephen Ridgeway and Stephen Russell

Stephen Ridgeway and Stephen Russell, c. 2000

Penny Tweedie
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2004

Stephen, Russell and David Page
Stephen, Russell and David Page
Stephen, Russell and David Page

Stephen, Russell and David Page, c. 2000

Penny Tweedie
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2004

The Sands Brothers
The Sands Brothers
The Sands Brothers

The Sands Brothers, c. 1940s

an unknown artist
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Purchased 2011

Francis Russell Nixon
Francis Russell Nixon
Francis Russell Nixon

Francis Russell Nixon, c. 1845-1855

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

Purchased 2009

Tim Fairfax AC

Tim Fairfax, 2018

by Russell Shakespeare
General content

Commissioned with funds provided by The Calvert-Jones Foundation 2018

Adela Russell Walker
Adela Russell Walker
Adela Russell Walker

Adela Russell Walker, 1864

William P. Dowling
Portrait, albumen print photograph, carte de visite format on paper on card

Purchased 2022

Stephen, Russell and David Page

Bangarra brothers: songman, storyteller, dancer

Passion

Creative kin

Maria Windeyer
Maria Windeyer
Maria Windeyer

Maria Windeyer, c. 1860s

an unknown artist
Portrait, albumen photograph, hand coloured

Gift of Joanna Russell Maher (née Windeyer) 2018

Maisie
Maisie
Maisie

Maisie, 1938-1939

Peter Purves Smith
Portrait, gouache on paper

Bequest of Lady Maisie Drysdale 2001

Peter Garrett by Karin Catt

Famous

Karin Catt Portraits
Previous exhibition, 2006

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

Alfie Sands
Alfie Sands
Alfie Sands

Alfie Sands, c. 1940s

an unknown artist
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Purchased 2011

George Sands
George Sands
George Sands

George Sands, c. 1940s

an unknown artist
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Purchased 2011

Clem Sands
Clem Sands
Clem Sands

Clem Sands, c. 1940s

an unknown artist
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Purchased 2011

Self portrait, Cyprus
Self portrait, Cyprus
Self portrait, Cyprus

Self portrait, Cyprus, 1953

David Potts
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Purchased 2001

The Last Paul Mumme Work, 2015 by Paul Mumme, video: 3 minutes

The Last Paul Mumme Work, 2015

by Paul Mumme
General content

Finalist, DPA 2016

Lee Kernaghan near Broken Hill

Milestones

About Face article

This month I turn fifty, soI am just now looking rather more closely than usual at Fiona Foley, Steven Heathcote, Brenda Croft, Russell Crowe, Jeff Fenech, Akira Isogawa, Lee Kernaghan, My Le Thi, Shona Wilson and Mark Taylor AO, mindful that they too were 1964 arrivals. 

Paul Haefliger
Paul Haefliger
Paul Haefliger

Paul Haefliger, 1974

Judy Cassab AO CBE
Portrait, oil on canvas

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

Francis Russell Nixon

Sketches and sermons

Magazine article by Jessica Smith, 2009

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

Peter Sculthorpe
Peter Sculthorpe
Peter Sculthorpe

Peter Sculthorpe, c. 1969

David Moore
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph, selenium toned on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 1998

Paul Beadle
Paul Beadle
Paul Beadle

Paul Beadle, c. 1950

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

Rudy Komon
Rudy Komon
Rudy Komon

Rudy Komon, c. 1970

Lewis Morley
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

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

David Potts reflected in a magazine page
David Potts reflected in a magazine page
David Potts reflected in a magazine page

David Potts reflected in a magazine page, c. 1949 (printed 2000)

David Moore
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

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

Mr Thake - Dr So and So

Eric Thake

In their own words
In their own words

Recorded 1961

Mr and Mrs Horace Keats in the
Mr and Mrs Horace Keats in the
Mr and Mrs Horace Keats in the

Mr and Mrs Horace Keats in the "Christopher Brennan Cycle", 1945

Dora Toovey
Portrait, oil on canvas

Gift of Anne and Brennan Keats 2009

Ivy Shore
Ivy Shore
Ivy Shore

Ivy Shore, 1961

Graeme Inson
Portrait, oil on masonite

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Harvey and Russell Shore 2014

Ann Mary Windeyer
Ann Mary Windeyer
Ann Mary Windeyer

Ann Mary Windeyer, 1847

G Ziegler
Portrait, pastel and gouache on paper laid down on backing sheet

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Joanna Russell Maher (née Windeyer) 2018

Dave Sands
Dave Sands
Dave Sands

Dave Sands, c. 1940s

an unknown artist
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Purchased 2011

Margaret Olley
Margaret Olley
Margaret Olley

Margaret Olley, 1995

Adam Knott
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of The Hammond Care Group 1999

Guy Pearce
Guy Pearce
Guy Pearce

Guy Pearce, 2000 (printed 2004)

Karin Catt
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Purchased 2005

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

Portrait of Alan Marshall, 1955

Lina Bryans
Portrait, oil on cardboard

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 1999

Peter Elliott
Peter Elliott
Peter Elliott

Peter Elliott, 1964

Jon Molvig
Portrait, oil on masonite

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

Elaine Haxton
Elaine Haxton
Elaine Haxton

Elaine Haxton, 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

The Movie Star (David Gulpilil)
The Movie Star (David Gulpilil)
The Movie Star (David Gulpilil)

The Movie Star (David Gulpilil), 1985

Tracey Moffatt
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Gift of the artist 1998. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Megan Gale
Megan Gale
Megan Gale

Megan Gale, 2002

Ellen Dahl
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Gift of the artist 2006

Margaret Olley
Margaret Olley
Margaret Olley

Margaret Olley, 1998

Lewis Morley
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

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

Steve Kilbey
Steve Kilbey
Steve Kilbey

Steve Kilbey, 1981 (printed 2018)

Gary Ede
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Purchased with funds provided by Wayne Williams 2018

David Malouf

2012-13 Acquisition Fund

Annual Appeal

The Circle of Friends Acquisition Fund for 2012 was dedicated to purchasing a portrait of David Malouf by Rick Amor.

Andy Kent (You Am I)
Andy Kent (You Am I)
Andy Kent (You Am I)

Andy Kent (You Am I), 1995

Montalbetti + Campbell
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Gift of the artists 2003

Tim Rogers (You Am I)
Tim Rogers (You Am I)
Tim Rogers (You Am I)

Tim Rogers (You Am I), 1995

Montalbetti + Campbell
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Gift of the artists 2003

Richard Tognetti
Richard Tognetti
Richard Tognetti

Richard Tognetti, n.d.

Stuart Campbell
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

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

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.

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

The rose, 1927

The World of Thea Proctor

Previous exhibition, 2005

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

Portrait of David Dridan
Portrait of David Dridan
Portrait of David Dridan

Portrait of David Dridan, 1992

Brian Dunlop
Portrait, oil on canvas

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of David Dridan OAM 2017

Escape, 2006 by Eddy Collett

Headspace 7

Me and My Place
Previous exhibition, 2006

Headspace 7: Me and My Place, the seventh in the National Portrait Gallery's series of student exhibitions, will be presented at Commonwealth Place. Me and My Place is the curatorial theme for the 2006 exhibition.

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.

Margaret Fulton

Masters of Fare

Chefs, winemakers, providores
Previous exhibition, 2004

Masters of fare: chefs, winemakers, providores celebrates men and women who have championed the unique culinary characteristics and produce of Australia, enriching our lives with new ideas and new flavours over the past forty years.

Ed Murrow, New York
Ed Murrow, New York
Ed Murrow, New York

Ed Murrow, New York, 1956 (printed 2000)

David Moore
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

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

Nicole Kidman

9 lives of Karin Catt

Magazine article by Simon Elliott, 2006

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

image not online

Xavier Herbert, early 1980s (printed 2018)

Jacqueline Mitelman
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2018

Margaret Whitlam

Open Air

Portraits in the Landscape
Previous exhibition, 2008

Open Air is an exhibition of portraits of Australians in environments of particular significance to them.

Harry Seidler, Killara, Sydney

A Captured Moment

Magazine article by Simon Elliott, 2001

The acquisition of David Moore's archive of portrait photographs for the National Portrait Gallery's collection.

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

The Burke and Wills Monument, 1869

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

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2001

Jessica Mauboy

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

18 October 2018
Archived media releases 2018

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

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.

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.

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.

Charles Summers
Charles Summers
Charles Summers

Charles Summers, late 1860s

Batchelder & Company Photo
Portrait, albumen paper carte de visite

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

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.

Richard Tognetti #1510

Richard Tognetti #1510, 2018

by Louise Hearman
General content

Commissioned with funds provided by Peter Weiss AO 2018

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.

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.

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

Catholic clergymen from the Diocese of Adelaide
Catholic clergymen from the Diocese of Adelaide
Catholic clergymen from the Diocese of Adelaide

Catholic clergymen from the Diocese of Adelaide, c. 1862

Stephen Edward Nixon
Portrait, carte de visite photograph

Purchased 2018

Lee Kernaghan near Broken Hill

Australian of the Year

Inspiring a Nation
Previous exhibition, 2010

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

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.

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.

Jean-Paul Sartre, 1946

Insightful

Magazine article by Robert McFarlane, 2004

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

Luke Scibberas, Hill End NSW, 2004

Artists' space

Magazine article by John McDonald, 2007

Studio: Australian Painters Photographed by R. Ian Lloyd presents 61 of some of Australia’s most respected and significant painters working in the studio environment.

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.

Self portrait

Small worlds

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2010

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

Announcing.... In their own words

24 November 2020
Archived media releases 2020

Inspiring Australians tell their own stories in a unique new gallery audio tour, developed in collaboration with the National Library of Australia.

Mark Richards

Off the wall

Magazine article by John Witzig, 2008
Photographer and surf mag editor John Witzig tells the stories behind his iconic surf images.
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.

Bon Scott & Angus Young, Atlanta, Georgia

No shirt, no service

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2010

Bon Scott and Angus Young photographed by Rennie Ellis are part of a display celebrating summer and images of the shirtless male.

image not online

Portrait Donors

Listed by year
Honour board
The Sands Brothers

Seeing stars

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2013

Joanna Gilmour explores photographic depictions of Aboriginal sportsmen including Lionel Rose, Dave Sands, Jerry Jerome and Douglas Nicholls.

Portrait of Thea Proctor, 1905 by George Lambert

The real Thea

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2015

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

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.

The sisters, 1904

Beguiling impressions

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2012

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

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.

Surfing, Noosa, 1970s Stuart Spence

The play’s the thing

About Face article

Penelope Grist charts an immersive path through Stuart Spence’s photography.

Karl Robert, Count Nesselrode, 1818 by Sir Thomas Lawrence

The Lawrence lustre

Magazine article by Angus Trumble, 2019

Angus Trumble salutes the glorious portraiture of Sir Thomas Lawrence.

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.

Bee Miles

Good, bad and the ugly

Magazine article by Michael Desmond, 2007

Michael Desmond explores what makes a portrait subject significant.

Anne-Louise Lambert as Miranda Courtesy Picnic Productions

Rock star

Magazine article by Jennifer Coombes, 2018

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

Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily

Illuminating history

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2023

Joanna Gilmour reflects on 25 years of collecting at the 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.

First-Class Marksman, 1946 by Sidney Nolan

Money for Myth

Magazine article by Jane Raffan, 2015

Australian character on the market by Jane Raffan.

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.

Sidney Nolan, Western Australia

Cultural kaleidoscope

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2006

The complex connections between four creative Australians; Patrick White, Sidney Nolan, Robert Helpmann and Peter Sculthorpe.

Self Portrait, 1963–64

What price self?

Magazine article by Jane Raffan, 2013

Jane Raffan investigates auction sales of self portraits nationally and internationally.

Lucy Culliton, 2016 by Mark Mohell

Lucy Culliton

Explore The Popular Pet Show

Most well-regarded pictures of chickens show them dead. A reliable way to tell if a chicken in a painting is dead is to check if it’s hanging upside down, because unlike, say, cockatoos, chickens don’t practise inversion for enjoyment in life.

Jacki Weaver

Flash mob

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2019

Sarah Engledow trains her exacting lens on the nine photographs from 20/20.

20/20 launch speech

About Face article

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

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.

Nannultera, a young cricketer of the Natives' Training Institution, Poonindie , 1854 John Michael Crossland

The catechist and the cricketer

Magazine article by Stephen Valambras Graham, 2021

Stephen Valambras Graham traverses the intriguing socio-political terrain behind two iconic First Nations portraits of the 1850s.

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.

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.

Seven sisters song Kaylene Whiskey

You are who?

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2022

Joanna Gilmour reflects on merging collections and challenging traditional assumptions around portraiture in WHO ARE YOU.

Patrick Ryan, 1968 by Mark Strizic

The silent partner

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2015

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

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.

David Marr, 2011 by Nicholas Harding

Nicholas Harding: 28 Portraits

Exhibition essay
General content

Sarah Engledow looks at three decades of Nicholas Harding's portraiture.

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