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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.

Self portrait, 1955 John Brack

Self portrait

John Brack
Image
Self portrait

John Brack

In their own words
In their own words

Recorded 1962

Portrait of Tam Purves

Bonfire of the vanities

Magazine article by Stuart Purves, 2016

Australian Galleries Director Stuart Purves tells the story of two portraits by John Brack.

Painter John Brack with Professor Alex Mitchell and Sir Garfield Barwick
Painter John Brack with Professor Alex Mitchell and Sir Garfield Barwick
Painter John Brack with Professor Alex Mitchell and Sir Garfield Barwick

Painter John Brack with Professor Alex Mitchell and Sir Garfield Barwick, c. 1977

Jozef Vissel
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Gift of the Jozef Vissel 2015

Sketch for portrait of John Perceval
Sketch for portrait of John Perceval
Sketch for portrait of John Perceval

Sketch for portrait of John Perceval, c. 1962

John Brack
Portrait, charcoal on Paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Helen Brack 2012

Study for
Study for
Study for

Study for "Barry Humphries in the character of Mrs Everage", 1969

John Brack
Portrait, pencil on paper

Gift of Timothy Fairfax AC 2012. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Portrait of Tam Purves
Portrait of Tam Purves
Portrait of Tam Purves

Portrait of Tam Purves, 1958

John Brack
Portrait, oil on canvas

Purchased 2012

Sketch for portrait of John Perceval
Sketch for portrait of John Perceval
Sketch for portrait of John Perceval

Sketch for portrait of John Perceval, c. 1962

John Brack
Portrait, charcoal pencil on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Helen Brack 2012

Self portrait 1955

Portrait of the artist as a young man

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2010

Dr Sarah Engledow explores the early life and career of John Brack.

Self portrait
Self portrait
Self portrait

Self portrait, c. 1948

John Brack
Portrait, conté crayon on paper

Purchased with funds provided by Tim Fairfax AC 2010

Portrait of Kym Bonython/Portrait of Mr Bonython's speedway cap

Somewhere to hang your cap

Magazine article by Beatrice Thompson, 2007

A pair of portraits by John Brack; Portrait of Kym Bonython and Portrait of Mr Bonython's speedway cap combine to create a quirky depiction of their subject.

Self portrait

John Brack Portraits

Previous exhibition, 2007

The exhibition includes such striking works as Portrait of Fred Williams, and Barry Humphries in the character of Edna Everage, the enigmatic Portrait of Hal Hattam, a group of revealing self portraits including the mysterious Inside and Outside, as well as endearing portraits of the artist's children.

Portrait of a Man (Fred Williams), 1958

Head, hand, heart

Magazine article by Michael Desmond, 2007

An extensive selection of portraits by John Brack were on display at the National Portrait Gallery in late 2007.

Portrait of Kym Bonython/Portrait of Mr Bonython's speedway cap
Portrait of Kym Bonython/Portrait of Mr Bonython's speedway cap
Portrait of Kym Bonython/Portrait of Mr Bonython's speedway cap

Portrait of Kym Bonython/Portrait of Mr Bonython's speedway cap, 1963-1966

John Brack
Portrait, oil on canvas (diptych)

Gift of Kym Bonython AC DFC AFC 2007. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Study for portrait of Joan Croll
Study for portrait of Joan Croll
Study for portrait of Joan Croll

Study for portrait of Joan Croll, 1976

John Brack
Portrait, conté crayon on paper

Gift of Dr Joan Croll AO 2007. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Joan Croll

String of Pearls

Magazine article by Andrew Sayers AM, 2001

Andrew Sayers discusses the portrait of Dr Joan Croll AO by the Australian artist John Brack.

© National Portrait Gallery 2024
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