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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.

Pictorial profiles of hearth and home

Australian Love Stories online
 

Seemingly simple art forms can offer sensitive, intimate portrayals of nuanced scenes, such as this depiction of domestic felicity.

MacKenzie family silhouette
MacKenzie family silhouette, 1846 Samuel Metford

Silhouettes were a popular and affordable form of portraiture in nineteenth century England and America, and noted artist Samuel Metford spent time practising his craft in both countries. This interior by Metford was commissioned in 1846 for the MacKenzie family when they were living in Lancashire. It features husband Francis (far right), and wife Maria (third from left); their six children; and Maria’s mother Mrs Edwards. Francis died in 1851, and Maria made the decision to emigrate to New South Wales with her surviving five children soon after. The endearing portrait, depicting the MacKenzies happily ensconced at home, went with them, and was kept within the family for over 160 years. It was bequeathed to the National Portrait Gallery in 2007 by Maria’s great-granddaughter Nancy.

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Peter de Waal and Peter Bonsall-Boone, St Kilda, October 1966 Unknown artist
Peter de Waal and Peter Bonsall-Boone, St Kilda, October 1966 Unknown artist
Peter de Waal and Peter Bonsall-Boone, St Kilda, October 1966 Unknown artist
Peter de Waal and Peter Bonsall-Boone, St Kilda, October 1966 Unknown artist

Love versus the law

Lola Montes
Lola Montes
Lola Montes
Lola Montes

The king and the showgirl

Yellow portrait (portrait of Alex Jelinek)
Yellow portrait (portrait of Alex Jelinek)
Yellow portrait (portrait of Alex Jelinek)
Yellow portrait (portrait of Alex Jelinek)

When opposites attract

Self portrait
Self portrait
Self portrait
Self portrait

Domesticity’s creative maelstrom

Arthur Streeton, Nora Streeton (nee Clench) and Pat, the dog
Arthur Streeton, Nora Streeton (nee Clench) and Pat, the dog
Arthur Streeton, Nora Streeton (nee Clench) and Pat, the dog
Arthur Streeton, Nora Streeton (nee Clench) and Pat, the dog

If music be the food of love

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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