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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 Art in the Optics

From the tightly stage-managed to the embarrassingly candid, Jacqueline Maley explores the power and influence of political portraiture.

More information on The Art in the Optics

Selected images

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Peter Dutton, 2016
Peter Dutton, 2016 . Photo: Alex Ellinghausen. Sydney Morning Herald
Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard, 2010
Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard, 2010 . Photo: Andrew Meares. Sydney Morning Herald
George Reid paperweight
George Reid paperweight, c. 1910 Farmer and Company Limited
Sir Robert Menzies, 1960 William Dobell
Sir Robert Menzies, 1960 William Dobell. 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
Sketch for Prime Minister Robert Menzies
Sketch for Prime Minister Robert Menzies, 1960 Sir William Dobell OBE. © William Dobell/Copyright Agency, 2024
The Hon. Tony John Abbott, 2022 Johannes Leak
The Hon. Tony John Abbott, 2022 Johannes Leak. Historic Memorials Collection, Parliament House Art Collection, Department of Parliamentary Services
Ken Wyatt
Ken Wyatt, 2019 (printed 2020) Alex Ellinghausen. © Alex Ellinghausen
7 images
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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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© National Portrait Gallery 2026
King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
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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.

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