© National Portrait Gallery 2026
King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
Phone +61 2 6102 7000
ABN: 54 74 277 1196
Elizabeth Reid, 1989
Jenny Darling
Portrait, oil on canvas
Gift of Elizabeth Reid 2019
Gordon and Marilyn Darling, 1994
Francis Reiss, June Orford
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper
Gift of Francis Reiss 2009
Portrait of Harriet Swan, c. 1842
an unknown artist
Portrait, watercolour on ivory
Purchased with funds provided by L Gordon Darling AC CMG and Marilyn Darling AC 2013
Portrait of Julia Swan, c. 1842
an unknown artist
Portrait, watercolour on ivory
Purchased with funds provided by L Gordon Darling AC CMG and Marilyn Darling AC 2013
Uncommon Australians
The vision of Gordon and Marilyn Darling
Previous exhibition, 2015
This exhibition showcases portraits acquired through the generosity of the National Portrait Gallery’s Founding Patrons, L Gordon Darling AC CMG and Marilyn Darling AC.
Uncommon Australians
The vision of Gordon and Marilyn Darling
General content
Sarah Engledow writes about Gordon and Marilyn Darling and their support for the National Portrait Gallery throughout its evolution.
Gordon and Marilyn Darling interview
General content
Gordon and Marilyn Darling talk about the origins of the National Portrait Gallery and some of their favourite portraits.
Study of male ballet dancers standing in a line, 2007
Jenny Sages
Portrait, charcoal and pastel on paper
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of J Sages Family Trust 2009
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program
Study of female ballet dancers, 2007
Jenny Sages
Portrait, charcoal and pastel on paper
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of J Sages Family Trust 2009
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program
Study of a pair of ballet dancers, 2007
Jenny Sages
Portrait, charcoal and pastel on paper
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of J Sages Family Trust 2009
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program
Ian Darling AO
Biography
Ian Darling AO is an award winning documentary filmmaker. He has made two films about adventurer and explorer Jon Muir; Alone Across Australia and Suzy & The Simple Man.
1 portrait in the collection
Darling Portrait Prize 2020
Previous exhibition, 2020
The Darling Prize is a new biennial prize for Australian portrait painters, painting Australian sitters. The winner receives a cash prize of $75,000.
L Gordon Darling AC CMG
Biography
L. Gordon Darling AC CMG (1921-2015), former company director, was the Founding Patron of the National Portrait Gallery.
2 portraits in the collection
Marilyn Darling AC
Biography
Marilyn Darling AC (b. 1943), a Founding Patron of the National Portrait Gallery, was Chair of the Board of the Gallery from 2000 until 2008.
2 portraits in the collection
John Darling
Biography
John Darling (1923-2015), businessman, company director and media producer was the son of Harold Gordon Darling, chair of BHP.
1 portrait in the collection
Barbara Darling
Biography
Barbara Darling (1948-2015) was the first woman appointed a bishop in Victoria and the second woman to be made a bishop in Australia.
1 portrait in the collection