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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.

Portrait 36

June - August 2010

This issue features convict portraitists, Janet Dawson, Paul Grabowsky, Nam Le, the Present Tense exhibition and more.

Self portrait, 1645
Self portrait, 1645
Self portrait, 1645

The considered life

by Andrew Sayers AM

Andrew Sayers asks whether a portrait can truly be the examination of a life.
George Barrington, c.1785
George Barrington, c.1785
George Barrington, c.1785

Celebrity cutpurse

by Dr Grace Blakeley-Carroll

Grace Carroll discusses the portrait of the late-eighteenth century gentleman pickpocket George Barrington.
Portrait sketch of Nellie Melba
Portrait sketch of Nellie Melba
Portrait sketch of Nellie Melba

Doodles of the Diva

by Dr Sarah Engledow

Three tiny sketches of Dame Nellie Melba in the NPG collection were created by the artist who was to go on to paint the most imposing representation of the singer: Rupert Bunny.
Paul Grabowsky
Paul Grabowsky
Paul Grabowsky

Feel the music

by Dr Christopher Chapman

Dr Christopher Chapman discusses the portrait of Australian composer Paul Grabowsky by photographer Martin Philbey.
Lucy, 2001
Lucy, 2001
Lucy, 2001

Technical terminology

by Michael Desmond

Michael Desmond introduces some of the ideas behind the exhibition Present Tense: An imagined grammar of portraiture in the digital age.
Self portrait
Self portrait
Self portrait

Fine and dandy

by Joanna Gilmour

Whether the result of misadventure or misdemeanour, many accomplished artists were transported to Australia where they ultimately left a positive mark on the history of art in this country.
Brown form with stripes, 1961
Brown form with stripes, 1961
Brown form with stripes, 1961

Figurative foundation

by Joanna Gilmour

Joanna Gilmour explores the life and art of the Australian artist Janet Dawson.
General Birdwood, the Idol of Anzac, taking a dip in the sea after a hard days work 1915
General Birdwood, the Idol of Anzac, taking a dip in the sea after a hard days work 1915
General Birdwood, the Idol of Anzac, taking a dip in the sea after a hard days work 1915

In the thick of it

by Dr Sarah Engledow

Projecting the splendour of the empire, and the resolve of its subjects, the bust of William Birdwood keeps a stiff upper lip in the National Portrait Gallery.
High school, 2008
High school, 2008
High school, 2008

Subtle emotion

by Dr Christopher Chapman

Christopher Chapman considers photographer Rozalind Drummond's portrait of author Nam Le.

Related information

Portrait 71
Portrait 71
Portrait 71
Portrait 71

Portrait magazine

Publications

Portrait is the preeminent journal of Australian and international portraiture.

Portrait 37

September - November 2010

This issue features Jenny Sages, Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud, Brook Andrew's portrait of Marcia Langton, Nicholas Harding, Lola Montez, Mick Molloy and more.

Portrait 35

March - May 2010

This issue features suspected poisoner and portrait artist Thomas Wainewright, Rick Amor, Chuck Close, Mick Dodson, Scott Redford, the National Photographic Portrait Prize exhibition and more.
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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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