Skip to main content

Temporary road closures will block vehicle access to our building and carpark on 11 and 12 April.

Menu
What's on Prizes The Portraits Watch
The Gallery Governance & Board Circle of Friends
Learn Access Search the website
close close
What's on The Portraits The Gallery Learn Watch More O

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.

Where the wild things are

Michael Desmond explores the complex portrait of Dr Bob Brown by Harold 'The Kangaroo' Thornton.

More information on Where the wild things are

Selected images

3 images
hide captions
Dr Brown and Green Old Time Waltz
Dr Brown and Green Old Time Waltz, 1983 Harold Thornton. © Estate of Harold Thornton
Harold Kangaroo Thornton at the Hellfire Club, Blackmarket, 1995
Harold Kangaroo Thornton at the Hellfire Club, Blackmarket, 1995
Doctor Brown and green old time waltz, 1983 (detail)
Doctor Brown and green old time waltz, 1983 (detail)
3 images
hide captions

Related information

Dr Brown and Green Old Time Waltz
Dr Brown and Green Old Time Waltz
Dr Brown and Green Old Time Waltz
Dr Brown and Green Old Time Waltz

Virtual Highlight Tour

Our Power, Our Planet, Our Portraits

12:30pm, Tue 21 Apr

On the eve of World Earth Day, join Education Delivery Officer Sami to explore portraits of Australians who have harnessed public action to protect our environment.
Dr Brown and Green Old Time Waltz
Dr Brown and Green Old Time Waltz
Dr Brown and Green Old Time Waltz
Dr Brown and Green Old Time Waltz

Bob Brown

In defence of the 'leech ridden ditch'

Portrait story

Bob Brown discusses the events that occurred during the Franklin River campaign as depicted in his portrait by Harold 'The Kangaroo' Thornton.
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

The Gallery

Visit us, learn with us, support us or work with us! Here’s a range of information about planning your visit, our history and more!
Home Contact Media Privacy statement User agreement Social media and community guidelines
© National Portrait Gallery 2026
King Edward Terrace, Parkes
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