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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.

Search / robert helpmann

Meryl Tankard

Dancer

Hosting a touring exhibition

From letting loose in the loungeroom to enthralling audiences on stage, this exhibition celebrates dance and dancers.

Sir Robert Helpmann

Robert Helpmann

In their own words

In their own words

Recorded 1964

Joan Sutherland

All the world's a stage

General content

Joan Sutherland, Robert Helpmann and Raigh Roe

Sir Robert Helpmann

Sir Robert Helpmann

Sir Robert Helpmann

Sir Robert Helpmann, c. 1965 (printed 2015)

Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Jozef Vissel 2015

Anna Pavlova

Anna Pavlova

Anna Pavlova

Anna Pavlova, 1926

Harold Cazneaux

Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2015

Sidney Nolan and Robert Helpmann at Bonython Gallery, Adelaide Arts Festival

Sidney Nolan and Robert Helpmann at Bonython Gallery, Adelaide Arts Festival

Sidney Nolan and Robert Helpmann at Bonython Gallery, Adelaide Arts Festival

Sidney Nolan and Robert Helpmann at Bonython Gallery, Adelaide Arts Festival, c. 1964 (printed 2015)

Robert McFarlane

Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 1999

Anna Matveyevna Pavlova (1885–1931)

The Pavlova

About Face article

It is a painful truth, but one which must be faced up to, that the pavlova, that iconic Australian dessert, a staple since the 1930s, was actually invented in New Zealand.

Janice Wakely

Generous Janice

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2013

Dr Sarah Engledow puts four gifts to the National Portrait Gallery’s Collection in context.

Lee Kernaghan near Broken Hill

Australian of the Year

Inspiring a Nation

Previous exhibition, 2010

The Australian of the Year Awards have often provoked controversy about who is selected and whether their achievements are remarkable.

Sidney Nolan, Western Australia

Cultural kaleidoscope

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2006

The complex connections between four creative Australians; Patrick White, Sidney Nolan, Robert Helpmann and Peter Sculthorpe.

Eileen Dunne in The Hospital for Sick Children, 1940

The incomparable Beaton

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2005

To accompany the exhibition Cecil Beaton: Portraits, held at the NPG in 2005, this article is drawn from Hugo Vickers's authorised biography, Cecil Beaton (1985).

Cate Blanchett

Australians in Hollywood

Previous exhibition, 2003

Although perceived to be a recent phenomenon, the 'Aussie invasion' of Hollywood can actually be traced as far back as the early 1900s

Arthur Boyd

Arthur Boyd

Arthur Boyd

Arthur Boyd, 1962

Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2003

Portrait of Kenneth Rowell

Portrait of Kenneth Rowell

Portrait of Kenneth Rowell

Portrait of Kenneth Rowell, 1967

Portrait, oil on canvas

Gift of Margaret Olley 2002. Transferred from the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Robert Helpmann

Robert Helpmann

Robert Helpmann

Robert Helpmann, 1969

Portrait, montage of gelatin silver photographs on paper

Purchased 1998

Robert Helpmann

Sir Robert Helpmann CBE

Sir Robert Helpmann CBE (1909–1986) was a dancer, actor and choreographer.

3 portraits in the collection

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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