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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.

The right note

Marian Anderson’s glorious voice thrust her into stardom, and a more reluctant role as American civil rights pioneer.

More information on The right note

Selected images

8 images
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Marian Anderson, contralto, New York, June 30, 1955 Richard Avedon
Marian Anderson, contralto, New York, June 30, 1955 Richard Avedon
Marian Anderson at the Lincoln Memorial, 1939 Robert S Scurlock
Marian Anderson at the Lincoln Memorial, 1939 Robert S Scurlock
Marian Anderson, Clef Club, Academy of Music, 1918 Fowler Photography
Marian Anderson, Clef Club, Academy of Music, 1918 Fowler Photography
Marian Anderson, c. 1945 William Henry Johnson
Marian Anderson, c. 1945 William Henry Johnson
Marian Anderson, 1965 Beauford Delaney
Marian Anderson, 1965 Beauford Delaney
Marian Anderson, New York, 1948 Irving Penn
Marian Anderson, New York, 1948 Irving Penn
Marian Anderson and Sir Rudolf Bing at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City, 1954 Layne’s Studio
Marian Anderson and Sir Rudolf Bing at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City, 1954 Layne’s Studio
Marian Anderson, 1986-87 Brian Lanker
Marian Anderson, 1986-87 Brian Lanker
8 images
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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