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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.

Thomasine Wentworth, c.1844 (detail)

by Charles Abraham (1816-1885)

Thomasine Wentworth, c.1844 (detail)

plaster bust 54 x 42 x 38 cm
Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales, Vaucluse House Collection, Sydney.
Acquired by the NSW Government 1919
The subject is the eldest daughter of William Charles Wentworth, who was one of the first local gentry to patronize Abraham, and who it is believed commissioned the portrait just prior to his daughter’s marriage in 1844.

Presence and Absence
(More information, View all 12 images)

Lady Diana Duff Cooper, c.1909-1919
Tom Roberts
A young Australian
Mary Gilmore

Related information

Decorative portrait – Len Lye, c.1925 by Rayner Hoff (1894-1937)
Decorative portrait – Len Lye, c.1925 by Rayner Hoff (1894-1937)
Decorative portrait – Len Lye, c.1925 by Rayner Hoff (1894-1937)
Decorative portrait – Len Lye, c.1925 by Rayner Hoff (1894-1937)

Presence and Absence

Portrait Sculpture in Australia

Previous exhibition, 2003

This exhibition focuses on exploring national and communal identity through sculptural production in Australia, from the early decades of settlement through to the present day
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.

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