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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.

Presence and absence

The art of Australia’s colonial women painters affords us an invaluable, alternative perspective on the nascent nation-building project.

More information on Presence and absence

Selected images

14 images
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The artist and her family, c. 1854 by Martha Berkeley
The artist and her family, c. 1854 by Martha Berkeley
The first dinner given to the Aborigines, 1838 by Martha Berkeley
The first dinner given to the Aborigines, 1838 by Martha Berkeley
Self portrait as Ophelia, 1830s by Mary Morton Allport
Self portrait as Ophelia, 1830s by Mary Morton Allport
Morton Allport, c. 1850 by Mary Morton Allport
Morton Allport, c. 1850 by Mary Morton Allport
John Glover, c. 1832 by Mary Morton Allport
John Glover, c. 1832 by Mary Morton Allport
Houses in upper Liverpool Street showing Fairy Knowe, 1833–1839 by Mary Morton Allport
Houses in upper Liverpool Street showing Fairy Knowe, 1833–1839 by Mary Morton Allport
Portrait of Octavius Browne, 1841 by Georgiana McCrae
Portrait of Octavius Browne, 1841 by Georgiana McCrae
Self portrait, c. 1830 by Georgiana McCrae
Self portrait, c. 1830 by Georgiana McCrae
Major and Mrs Errington’s house in Van Diemen’s Land, John on the floor, 1843 by Eliza Errington
Major and Mrs Errington’s house in Van Diemen’s Land, John on the floor, 1843
 by Eliza Errington
An evening at Yarra Cottage, Port Stephens
An evening at Yarra Cottage, Port Stephens, 1857 Maria Brownrigg
Isabella Louisa Parry
Isabella Louisa Parry, c. 1826 an unknown artist
View of Port Stephens from the verandah at Tahlee House, 1830–1834 by Isabella Louisa Parry
View of Port Stephens from the verandah at Tahlee House, 1830–1834 by Isabella Louisa Parry
Port Arthur, c. 1846 by Catherine Augusta Mitchell (attributed)
Port Arthur, c. 1846 by Catherine Augusta Mitchell (attributed)
The Grose Valley showing Govett’s Leap, 1860 by Mary Elizabeth Martindale
The Grose Valley showing Govett’s Leap, 1860 by Mary Elizabeth Martindale
14 images
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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.

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.

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