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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.

Lovingly observed

Sarah Engledow previews the beguiling summer exhibition, Idle hours.

More information on Lovingly observed

Selected images

6 images
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My father-in-law watering his garden, 1986 by Davida Allen
My father-in-law watering his garden, 1986 by Davida Allen
Wendy drunk 11pm, 1983 by Brett Whiteley
Wendy drunk 11pm, 1983 by Brett Whiteley
Morning, 1976 by William Robinson
Morning, 1976 by William Robinson
(Reclining female nude lying on side), 1969 by Ivor Hele
(Reclining female nude
lying on side), 1969 by Ivor Hele
Reading the paper, 1987 by Cressida Campbell
Reading the paper, 1987 by Cressida Campbell
Red shoes from Vinnies IV, 2002 by Jenny Sages
Red shoes from Vinnies IV, 2002 by Jenny Sages
6 images
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Related information

Wendy drunk 11pm, 1983 by Brett Whiteley
Wendy drunk 11pm, 1983 by Brett Whiteley
Wendy drunk 11pm, 1983 by Brett Whiteley
Wendy drunk 11pm, 1983 by Brett Whiteley

Idle Hours

Previous exhibition, 2009

Idle hours is an exhibition of luxurious beauty. Paintings, prints and drawings represent subjects in quiet moods and situations arranged according to the time of day they depict - reading, drawing, snoozing, bathing, sewing, gardening, sitting, looking, making love and spending tranquil time with companions. Works in the exhibition range from the beginning of the twentieth century to the present.
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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