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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.

Making Portraits

Five Years of National Portrait Gallery Commissions

The considered matching of artist to subject has produced an amazing collection of unique and original works in the permanent collection of the National Portrait Gallery

More information on Making Portraits

Selected images

Johnny O'Keefe

Johnny O'Keefe "A little bit louder now...", 1999 Ivan Durrant. © Ivan Durrant/Copyright Agency, 2024

Andy Thomas

Andy Thomas, 2002 Montalbetti + Campbell. © Montalbetti & Campbell

Cathy Freeman

Cathy Freeman, 1999 Kerrie Lester. © Kerrie Lester/Copyright Agency, 2024

John Howard and Janette Howard

John Howard and Janette Howard, 2000 Josonia Palaitis. © Josonia Palaitis/Copyright Agency, 2024

Mark Taylor

Mark Taylor, 1999 Bill Leak. © Estate of Bill Leak

Nick Cave

Nick Cave, 1999 Howard Arkley. © Estate of Howard Arkley. Licensed by Kalli Rolfe Contemporary Art.

Simone Young

Simone Young, 2002 Bill Henson AO. © Bill Henson

Portrait of Dame Elisabeth Murdoch

Portrait of Dame Elisabeth Murdoch, 2000 Australian Tapestry Workshop, Merrill Dumbrell, Christopher Pyett, Normana Wight. © Australian Tapestry Workshop

Preparatory study for the portrait of Leo Schofield No.1

Preparatory study for the portrait of Leo Schofield No.1, 2001 Brent Harris. © Brent Harris

Full-size preparatory study for the portrait of Leo Schofield

Full-size preparatory study for the portrait of Leo Schofield, 2001 Brent Harris. © Brent Harris

Leo Schofield

Leo Schofield, 2001 Brent Harris. © Brent Harris

Imelda Roche

Imelda Roche, 2003 Paul Newton. © Paul Newton

Preparatory study for Betty Cuthbert

Preparatory study for Betty Cuthbert, 2002 Andrew Daly. © Andrew Daly

Preparatory study for Betty Cuthbert

Preparatory study for Betty Cuthbert, 2002 Andrew Daly. © Andrew Daly

Preparatory study for Betty Cuthbert

Preparatory study for Betty Cuthbert, 2002 Andrew Daly. © Andrew Daly

General Eva Burrows AC AO

General Eva Burrows AC AO, 2001 Gabrielle Martin. © Commonwealth of Australia

Preparatory study for General Eva Burrows AC AO

Preparatory study for General Eva Burrows AC AO, 2001 Gabrielle Martin. © Commonwealth of Australia

Preparatory study for General Eva Burrows AC AO

Preparatory study for General Eva Burrows AC AO, 2001 Gabrielle Martin. © Commonwealth of Australia

Preparatory study for General Eva Burrows AC AO

Preparatory study for General Eva Burrows AC AO, 2001 Gabrielle Martin. © Commonwealth of Australia

Betty Cuthbert

Betty Cuthbert, 2002 Andrew Daly. © Andrew Daly

Professor Peter Doherty

Professor Peter Doherty, 2001 Rick Amor. © Rick Amor/Copyright Agency, 2024

Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri

Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri, 2002 Tim Johnson. © Tim Johnson

Portrait of Elizabeth Jolley

Portrait of Elizabeth Jolley, 2003 Mary Moore. © Mary Moore

Preparatory study for the portrait of the Hon Tom Hughes KC

Preparatory study for the portrait of the Hon Tom Hughes KC, 2001 Jiawei Shen. © Jiawei Shen

Hon Tom Hughes KC

Hon Tom Hughes KC, 2001 Jiawei Shen. © Jiawei Shen

Preparatory study of Tom Hughes

Preparatory study of Tom Hughes, 2003 Jiawei Shen. © Jiawei Shen

Test #4 Broadhead and Wing Pattern: Preparatory study for 'Nothing's as precious as a hole in the ground'

Test #4 Broadhead and Wing Pattern: Preparatory study for 'Nothing's as precious as a hole in the ground', 2001 eX de Medici. © eX de Medici

Test #2 Ranger 3 Pit Mine Kakadu, N.T.: Preparatory study for 'Nothing's as precious as a hole in the ground'

Test #2 Ranger 3 Pit Mine Kakadu, N.T.: Preparatory study for 'Nothing's as precious as a hole in the ground', 2001 eX de Medici. © eX de Medici

Test #1 Ranger 3 Pit Mine Kakadu, N.T.: Preparatory study for 'Nothing's as precious as a hole in the ground'

Test #1 Ranger 3 Pit Mine Kakadu, N.T.: Preparatory study for 'Nothing's as precious as a hole in the ground', 2001 eX de Medici. © eX de Medici

Nothing's as precious as a hole in the ground

Nothing's as precious as a hole in the ground, 2001 eX de Medici. © eX de Medici

M.O. Ranger 3: Preparatory study for 'Nothing's as precious as a hole in the ground'

M.O. Ranger 3: Preparatory study for 'Nothing's as precious as a hole in the ground', 2001 eX de Medici. © eX de Medici

'Come + see the real thing, come + see' Conquistadors parts Hong. Ranger 3: Preparatory study for 'Nothing's as precious as a hole in the ground'

'Come + see the real thing, come + see' Conquistadors parts Hong. Ranger 3: Preparatory study for 'Nothing's as precious as a hole in the ground', 2001 eX de Medici. © eX de Medici

Douglas Frew Waterhouse

Douglas Frew Waterhouse, 2003 Robyn Stacey. © Robyn Stacey

Untitled (preparatory study for sculpture of Dr John Yu)

Untitled (preparatory study for sculpture of Dr John Yu), 2003 Ah Xian. © Ah Xian

Related information

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 2025
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