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Thea Astley

Recorded 1964

Thea Proctor

Recorded 1961

Self portrait, 1921

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

Thea Proctor, c. 1896

Gift of Thea Bryant (Proctor) 2005

Thea Astley, 1985 (printed 2006)

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2006

The world of Thea Proctor

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

The real Thea

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

Portrait of Diana Pockley, c. 1945

Gift of Dr Simon Pockley in memory of Diana Pockley 2023. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Modern Australian Women

Close contemporaries, Thea Proctor, Margaret Preston and Grace Cossington Smith were frequently sources of inspiration and irritation to each other. 

Give me five

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

Rachel, 2021

Purchased 2022

The World of Thea Proctor

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

Thea Anamara Perkins: Hey you mob

Portrait 47

This issue features Michael Riley, TextaQueen, Thea Proctor, Jean Appleton, In the flesh, digital identity and more.

Portrait 15

This issue of Portrait Magazine features the exhibition The world of Thea Proctor, porcelain sculpture of Dr. John Yu, Pat Mackie, the Kylie Minogue exhibition and more.

A very great and stimulating thrill

Just good friends?

Hera Roberts, 1936

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

Margaret Preston, c. 1930

Gift of Patrick Corrigan AM and Barbara Corrigan 2008. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Girl (portrait of Barbara Blackman), 1969

Purchased 2009

Julian Rossi Ashton, 1933

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Philip Bacon AM 2012

Barbara Blackman, 2008

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Barbara Blackman 2009

Study for self portrait, c. 1965

Gift of Laurie Curley OAM and Mrs Robyn Curley 2012

Julian Ashton Life Class, 1920

Purchased 2015

Michelle de Kretser, Geography & History, 2013

Gift of Michelle de Kretser 2015. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Dr Sarah Engledow

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

Studio

Studio: Australian Painters Photographed by R

Andrew Sayers, 2012

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds provided by Marilyn Darling AC 2013

Announcing.... In their own words

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

Past directors

Directors of the National Portrait Gallery from 1998 to today.

In good company

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

Andrew Sayers AM FAHA

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

Time and light

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.

Lovers of light

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

Uncommon Australians

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.

Kylie

The Kylie exhibition celebrated the significant achievements of one of Australia's most internationally recognisable faces and gave the general public a rare glimpse into her glamorous life. 

Moving in creative circles

Harold Cazneaux's portraits of influential Sydneysiders included Margaret Preston and Ethel Turner, both important figures in the development of ideas about Australian identity and culture.

Out of the shadows

Joanna Gilmour profiles the life and times of the shutter sisters May and Mina Moore.

Talking heads

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

Small worlds

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

Money and swat

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

Kiwi magpie

Penelope Grist finds inspiration in pioneering New Zealand artist, Frances Hodgkins.

Illuminating history

Joanna Gilmour reflects on 25 years of collecting at the National Portrait Gallery.

Heartfelt

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

Beguiling impressions

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

Portrait Donors

Petal to the mettle

Sarah Engledow lauds the very civil service of Dame Helen Blaxland.