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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.

Tempe Manning Self-portrait 1939

A potpourri of portraits

Magazine article by Natalie Wilson, 2023

Archie 100 curator (and detective) Natalie Wilson’s nationwide search for Archibald portraits unearthed the fascinating stories behind some long-lost treasures.

Beau Dean Riley Smith, Wiradjuri and Gamilaraay nations, Bennelong, 2017

Space in between

Magazine article by Rebecca Ray, 2022

Rebecca Ray goes backstage with Bangarra’s Head of Design and photographer Jacob Nash.

Jacob Nash
Jacob Nash
Jacob Nash

Jacob Nash, 2017

Ingvar Kenne
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Gift of the artist 2020. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Bob Hawke

Primed

Some Prime Ministers
Previous exhibition, 2019

Seventeen of Australia’s thirty prime ministers to date are represented in the contrasting sizes, moods and mediums of these portraits.

Captain James Cook

Rethinking foundational histories

Magazine article by Kate Fullagar, 2019

A focus on Indigenous-European relationships underpins Facing New Worlds. By Kate Fullagar.

The Rajah quilt, 1841 by Kezia Hayter

Material culture

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2018

The Rajah Quilt’s narrative promptings are as intriguing as the textile is intricate.

Anders Ousback
Anders Ousback
Anders Ousback

Anders Ousback, 1986 (printed 2018)

Gary Ede
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Purchased 2018

Voyage de Découvertes aux Terres Australes folio atlas (second edition)
Voyage de Découvertes aux Terres Australes folio atlas (second edition)
Voyage de Découvertes aux Terres Australes folio atlas (second edition)

Voyage de Découvertes aux Terres Australes folio atlas (second edition), 1824

Francois Peron, Louis de Freycinet, Nicolas-Martin Petit
Portrait, leather bound volume containing a double-page map of Australia, seven full-page charts, two double-page views, 27 hand-coloured engraving plates and 31 uncoloured engraving plates

Purchased 2017

David Collins Esq
David Collins Esq
David Collins Esq

David Collins Esq, 1804

Anthony Cardon after John T. Barber
Portrait, stipple engraving on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2015

Portrait of Bennilong, a Native of New Holland
Portrait of Bennilong, a Native of New Holland
Portrait of Bennilong, a Native of New Holland

Portrait of Bennilong, a Native of New Holland, c. 1810

an unknown artist
Portrait, engraving on paper

Purchased 2014

Portrait of Captain James Cook RN

The 1780s to the 1840s

Mo and beard timeline

Eighteenth century men differed from those of the preceding centuries in their preference for beardlessness.

Omai, Sir Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander, 1775-76

First encounters

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2011

Representations of the inhabitants of the new world expose the complexities of the colonisers' intentions.

Considering Persephone - Gay Bilson
Considering Persephone - Gay Bilson
Considering Persephone - Gay Bilson

Considering Persephone - Gay Bilson, 2009

Leeanne Crisp
Portrait, watercolour on paper

Purchased with funds provided by Jan and Gary Whyte, Brian and Barbara Crisp, Gloria Kurtze, Jonathon Mills and Lawsoft Pty Ltd 2011

Arthur Phillip Esq., Captain General and Commander in Chief in & over the territory of New South Wales
Arthur Phillip Esq., Captain General and Commander in Chief in & over the territory of New South Wales
Arthur Phillip Esq., Captain General and Commander in Chief in & over the territory of New South Wales

Arthur Phillip Esq., Captain General and Commander in Chief in & over the territory of New South Wales, 1789

W Sherwin after Francis Wheatley
Portrait, engraving on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2010

The National Portrait Gallery

In the galleries

Magazine article by Dr Christopher Chapman, 2009

Christopher Chapman highlights the inaugural hang of the new National Portrait Gallery building which opened in December 2008.

Gnoung-a-gnoung-a Mour-re-mour-ga (dit Collins)
Gnoung-a-gnoung-a Mour-re-mour-ga (dit Collins)
Gnoung-a-gnoung-a Mour-re-mour-ga (dit Collins)

Gnoung-a-gnoung-a Mour-re-mour-ga (dit Collins), 1807-1817

Nicolas-Martin Petit after Barthélemy Roger
Portrait, engraving on paper

Purchased 2009

© 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