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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.

Joseph Brant (Thayendanegea), 1776

Joseph Brant (Thayendanegea), 1776

George Romney
National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa
Transfer from the Canadian War Memorials 1921

First encounters
(More information, View all 12 images)

Portrait of Bungaree, a native of New South Wales, c. 1826
'Timbere sauvage de la nouvelle galles du sud en grand costume (Relache au Port Jackson)'
Gnoung-a-gnoung-a Mour-re-mour-ga (dit Collins)
Portrait of Bennilong, Native of New Holland

Related information

Omai, Sir Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander, 1775-76
Omai, Sir Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander, 1775-76
Omai, Sir Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander, 1775-76
Omai, Sir Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander, 1775-76

First encounters

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2011

Representations of the inhabitants of the new world expose the complexities of the colonisers' intentions.
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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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