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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.

Naked ambition

Joanna Gilmour dives into the life of Australian swimming legend Annette Kellerman.

More information on Naked ambition

Selected images

6 images
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Annette Kellerman, c. 1916
Annette Kellerman, c. 1916
Diving Venus Annette Kellerman in Los Angeles, c.1920
Diving Venus Annette Kellerman in Los Angeles, c.1920
Cinema advertisement for A Daughter of the Gods, c. 1917
Cinema advertisement for A Daughter of the Gods, c. 1917
Self portrait of Annette Kellerman, c. 1905
Self portrait of Annette Kellerman, c. 1905
Annette Kellerman
Annette Kellerman, c. 1907 (printed 2003) H. Walter Barnett
Annette Kellerman smiling
Annette Kellerman smiling, c. 1907 (printed 2003) H. Walter Barnett
6 images
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Related information

Annette Kellerman
Annette Kellerman
Annette Kellerman
Annette Kellerman

Indecent exposure

Annette Kellerman

Previous exhibition, 2011

'Diving Venus' and 'the perfect woman' are two of the numerous descriptions applied to Annette Kellerman, who achieved international fame during the early decades of the twentieth century.
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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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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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