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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 portraits of Captain Cook'

An interview with Betty Churcher

Betty Churcher describes the creation of the portrait of Captain James Cook in the National Portrait Gallery.

More information on 'The portraits of Captain Cook'

Selected images

4 images
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Betty Churcher on Captain Cook. Video length: 3 minutes
Portrait of Captain James Cook RN
John Webber Portrait of Captain James Cook RN 1782
Betty Churcher
Adam Knott Betty Churcher 2008 © Adam Knott
hey, Betty (Portrait of Betty Churcher)
Davida Allen hey, Betty (Portrait of Betty Churcher) 1990 © Davida Allen
4 images
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Related information

A child drawing on paper at a table
A child drawing on paper at a table
A child drawing on paper at a table
A child drawing on paper at a table

Little Faces

10:30am, Mon 23 Nov – Fri 27 Nov

Join us for a playful morning together as we look at Janenne Eaton’s portrait of Professor John Mulvaney.
An adult and child looking at an artwork in the gallery
An adult and child looking at an artwork in the gallery
An adult and child looking at an artwork in the gallery
An adult and child looking at an artwork in the gallery

Portrait Play

10:30am, Mon 4 Jan

Join us these school holidays for Portrait Play, a gentle and creative program for families and young children.
A child drawing on paper at a table
A child drawing on paper at a table
A child drawing on paper at a table
A child drawing on paper at a table

Little Faces

10:30am, Mon 25 Jan

Join us for a playful morning together as we look at Janenne Eaton’s portrait of Professor John Mulvaney.
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© National Portrait Gallery 2026
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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.

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