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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 Gallery’s Acknowledgement of Country, and information on culturally sensitive and restricted content and the use of historic language in the collection can be found here.

Christine Stead

1976 (printed 2017)
Robert McFarlane

inkjet print on paper (sheet: 48.3 cm x 32.9 cm, image: 35.9 cm x 23.9 cm)
Christine Stead

Christina Stead (1902-1983) writer, was born and educated in Sydney and spent most of her working life - from 1928 until 1974 - living in Europe and the United States. Her first book The Salzburg Tales was followed by Seven Poor Men of Sydney which was based on observations from her early life. Her best known work is The Man Who Loved Children (1940) widely regarded as a twentieth-century classic, an autobiographical study of a family dominated by a monstrous father.

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2017
© Robert McFarlane/Copyright Agency, 2024

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. Works of art from the collection are reproduced as per the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). The use of images of works from the collection may be restricted under the Act. Requests for a reproduction of a work of art can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.
Christina Stead

Listen: Christina Stead

In their own words

Recorded 1969
2017.47
Currently not on display
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Artist and subject

Robert McFarlane (age 34 in 1976)

Christina Stead (age 74 in 1976)

Related portraits
(View all 31)

Christina Stead
Nick Enright
Bruce Beresford on location
Robyn Archer
1. Christina Stead, 1981 Jacqueline Mitelman. © Jacqueline Mitelman. 2. Nick Enright, c. 1976 (printed 2004) Robert McFarlane. © Robert McFarlane/Copyright Agency, 2024. 3. Bruce Beresford on location, c. 1981 (printed 2004) Robert McFarlane. © Robert McFarlane/Copyright Agency, 2024. 4. Robyn Archer, 1982 Robert McFarlane. © Robert McFarlane/Copyright Agency, 2024.

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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 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