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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.

Sir Robert Menzies, 1960

William Dobell

Sir Robert Menzies, 1960
 

Art Gallery of NSW, Gift of Time Magazine 1962
© Courtesy Sir William Dobell Art Foundation/ Copyright Agency, 2025. Photo © Art Gallery of NSW OA10.1962

The Art in the Optics
(More information, View all 7 images)

Sketch for Prime Minister Robert Menzies
The Hon. Tony John Abbott
Ken Wyatt

Related information

Peter Dutton, 2016
Peter Dutton, 2016
Peter Dutton, 2016
Peter Dutton, 2016

The Art in the Optics

Magazine article by Jacqueline Maley, 2025

From the tightly stage-managed to the embarrassingly candid, Jacqueline Maley explores the power and influence of political portraiture.
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance

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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