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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.

Portrait of Tam Purves

Bonfire of the vanities

Magazine article by Stuart Purves, 2016

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

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Mr Sidney Myer AM appointed inaugural President of the National Portrait Gallery’s Foundation

12 March 2015
Archived media releases 2015

Dr Helen Nugent AO, Chairman, National Portrait Gallery Board announced today the appointment of Mr Sidney Myer AM as the inaugural President of the newly established National Portrait Gallery Foundation.

Sid Myer AM

Foundation members announced

18 May 2015
Archived media releases 2015

The newly-established National Portrait Gallery Foundation met for its inaugural meeting last Friday 15 May in Canberra.

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The National Portrait Gallery's Director, Karen Quinlan, receives Australia Day Honour

26 January 2019
Archived media releases 2019

The newly appointed Director of the National Portrait Gallery Karen Quinlan, was today recognised in the Australia Day Honours list for her significant service to the visual arts and to higher education.

Adam Lindsay Gordon
Adam Lindsay Gordon
Adam Lindsay Gordon

Adam Lindsay Gordon, 1890-1894

S. Milbourn Jnr
Portrait, albumen silver photograph on cabinet card

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2008

Yousuf Karsh by George O'Neill

Karsh

Faces of the Twentieth Century
Previous exhibition, 1998

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

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.

Portrait of Kym Bonython/Portrait of Mr Bonython's speedway cap
Portrait of Kym Bonython/Portrait of Mr Bonython's speedway cap
Portrait of Kym Bonython/Portrait of Mr Bonython's speedway cap

Portrait of Kym Bonython/Portrait of Mr Bonython's speedway cap, 1963-1966

John Brack
Portrait, oil on canvas (diptych)

Gift of Kym Bonython AC DFC AFC 2007. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Carla Zampatti

Vale Carla Zampatti AC

3 April 2021
Archived media releases 2021

The National Portrait Gallery is deeply saddened by the news of the untimely death of Carla Zampatti AC, an Australian icon and a woman who contributed so significantly to defining the identity and style of Australian women.

Robert Henderson Croll
Robert Henderson Croll
Robert Henderson Croll

Robert Henderson Croll, 1927

Frederick George Reynolds
Portrait, oil on canvas on board

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

William Barak at work on the drawing ‘Ceremony’ at Coranderrk

The Reflecting Eye

Portraits of Australian Visual Artists
Touring exhibition, 1996

As the first National Portrait Gallery travelling exhibition, The reflecting eye: portraits of Australian visual artists represents an important milestone in the history of Australia's National Portrait Gallery.

Madame Melba
Madame Melba
Madame Melba

Madame Melba, 1922

Harold Cazneaux
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Purchased 2015

Baz Luhrmann

Glossy 2

Faces, Magazines, Now
Previous exhibition, 2005

Following the success of Glossy: Faces, Magazines, Now in 1999 the National Portrait Gallery again highlights the huge array of contemporary portraiture in the pages of magazines.

Study for
Study for
Study for

Study for "Barry Humphries in the character of Mrs Everage", 1969

John Brack
Portrait, pencil on paper

Gift of Timothy Fairfax AC 2012. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

The Writer, Peter Goldsworthy
The Writer, Peter Goldsworthy
The Writer, Peter Goldsworthy

The Writer, Peter Goldsworthy, 2018

Deidre But-Husaim
Portrait, oil on canvas

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

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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