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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.

Del Kathryn Barton the daughter 2012

Maiden Mother Crone

Exhibition

Enter the intricate and elaborate worlds of contemporary artists Del Kathryn Barton, Emily Hunt and Jess Johnson.

image not online

Del Kathryn Barton

Biography

Del Kathryn Barton (b.1972) lives and works in Sydney. She is one of Australia's most celebrated contemporary artists, famous for her figurative paintings that feature fantastical characters posed against ornate—and sometimes psychedelic—backgrounds.

1 portrait in the collection

Maggie
Maggie
Maggie
Del Kathryn Barton

Maggie, 2023

Portrait, synthetic polymer paint and pigment liner on French linen

Commissioned with funds provided by Hayley Baillie and James Baillie 2023

Maggie Beer and Del Kathryn Barton

Maggie Beer and Del Kathryn Barton

'I wanted the whole picture to be pulsating with energy'
Portrait story

Maggie Beer and Del Kathryn Barton on symbolism and beauty.

Barton and Watson
Barton and Watson
Barton and Watson
G. H. Dancey

Barton and Watson, 1902

Portrait, pen and ink on paper

Purchased 2012

The Federal Leader Edmund Barton
The Federal Leader Edmund Barton
The Federal Leader Edmund Barton
Nelson Illingworth

The Federal Leader Edmund Barton, c. 1900

Portrait, cast plaster, painted

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds provided by the Liangis family 2012

Edmund Barton
Edmund Barton
Edmund Barton
Crown Studios

Edmund Barton, c. 1903

Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2011

Australia (Sir Edmund Barton)
Australia (Sir Edmund Barton)
Australia (Sir Edmund Barton)
Sir Leslie Ward, Vincent Brooks, Day & Son, Vanity Fair Magazine

Australia (Sir Edmund Barton), 1902

Portrait, chromolithograph on paper

Gift of Mr Ronald Walker 2001

Maggie

Behind the scenes

Del Kathryn Barton’s portrait of Maggie Beer
Magazine article, 2024

It was a riot of colour in the Gallery as we welcomed Del Kathryn Barton’s portrait of Maggie Beer AO into the collection.

Kathryn Hay
Kathryn Hay
Kathryn Hay
Penny Tweedie

Kathryn Hay, c. 2000

Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2004

Mr Barton 'Overworked'
Mr Barton 'Overworked'
Mr Barton 'Overworked'
Livingston Hopkins

Mr Barton 'Overworked', 1893

Portrait, pen and ink on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2008

In Between

The National Portrait Gallery Collection

Exhibition

Browse the full list of portraits from the collection that are on view now.

First High Court of Australia
First High Court of Australia
First High Court of Australia
an unknown artist

First High Court of Australia, c. 1903

Portrait, albumen silver photograph

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2011

Charles Haddon Chambers
Charles Haddon Chambers
Charles Haddon Chambers
Ralph Barton

Charles Haddon Chambers, 1921

Portrait, ink and watercolour on cardboard

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2010

Sir Edgar Coles
Sir Edgar Coles
Sir Edgar Coles
Sir William Dargie CBE

Sir Edgar Coles, c. 1970

Portrait, oil on canvas

Gift of Coles Myer Ltd 2002. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Portrait of Sir Edgar Coles
Portrait of Sir Edgar Coles
Portrait of Sir Edgar Coles
Reinis Zusters

Portrait of Sir Edgar Coles, 1962

Portrait, oil on board

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the family of Sir Edgar Coles 2014

© National Portrait Gallery 2026
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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