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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.

Sir John Hay
Sir John Hay
Sir John Hay

Sir John Hay, 1887

Freeman Brothers
Portrait, albumen silver photograph on cabinet card

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2015

Cathy Freeman
Cathy Freeman
Cathy Freeman

Cathy Freeman, 2000

David Caird
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of David Caird and Melbourne Herald Sun 2003

Alan Freeman
Alan Freeman
Alan Freeman

Alan Freeman, c. 1970 (printed 2002)

Lewis Morley
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2003
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

Cathy Freeman
Cathy Freeman
Cathy Freeman

Cathy Freeman, 1994 (printed 2010)

Bill McAuley
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2010

Cathy Freeman
Cathy Freeman
Cathy Freeman

Cathy Freeman, 1994

Montalbetti + Campbell
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 1999

Cathy Freeman
Cathy Freeman
Cathy Freeman

Cathy Freeman, 1999

Kerrie Lester
Portrait, oil and hand-stitching on canvas

Commissioned with funds provided by L Gordon Darling AC CMG 1999

Cathy Freeman
Cathy Freeman
Cathy Freeman

Cathy Freeman, 1995

Montalbetti + Campbell
Portrait, direct positive colour photograph on paper

Gift of the artists 2003

Alan Freeman MBE
Alan Freeman MBE
Alan Freeman MBE

Alan Freeman MBE, c. 1970 (printed 2002)

Lewis Morley
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2002
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

Sir John Young
Sir John Young
Sir John Young

Sir John Young, c. 1862

Freeman Brothers
Portrait, albumen paper photograph on carte de visite

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2015

Mary Windeyer
Mary Windeyer
Mary Windeyer

Mary Windeyer, c. 1891

Freeman Brothers
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on studio mount

Gift of J.B. Windeyer 2018

Captain Wilson
Captain Wilson
Captain Wilson

Captain Wilson, 1819

Freeman, T Hamilton
Portrait, Engraving on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Ted and Gina Gregg 2012

Lady Hay
Lady Hay
Lady Hay

Lady Hay, 1887

Freeman Brothers
Portrait, albumen silver photograph on cabinet card

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2015

Portrait of Professor Derek Freeman
Portrait of Professor Derek Freeman
Portrait of Professor Derek Freeman

Portrait of Professor Derek Freeman, 1996

Ralph Heimans AM
Portrait, pencil and pastel on paper

Purchased with funds provided by the Basil Bressler Bequest 2001

Maria Windeyer
Maria Windeyer
Maria Windeyer

Maria Windeyer, c. 1865-1868

Freeman Brothers after Edwin Dalton
Portrait, albumen paper carte de visite on brown paper studio folder

Gift of J.B. Windeyer 2018

Sir James Martin
Sir James Martin
Sir James Martin

Sir James Martin, c. 1880s

Henry Samuel Sadd after Freeman Brothers
Portrait, mezzotint on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds provided by L Gordon Darling AC CMG 2009

William Lamb, Baron Melbourne
William Lamb, Baron Melbourne
William Lamb, Baron Melbourne

William Lamb, Baron Melbourne, 1832

Samuel Freeman, Fisher, Son & Co London after Sir Thomas Lawrence
Portrait, engraving on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Ted and Gina Gregg 2012

Scrapbook page featuring portraits of Fred Lowry and Frank Gardiner
Scrapbook page featuring portraits of Fred Lowry and Frank Gardiner
Scrapbook page featuring portraits of Fred Lowry and Frank Gardiner

Scrapbook page featuring portraits of Fred Lowry and Frank Gardiner, c. 1863

an unknown artist, Freeman Brothers
Portrait, albumen silver photographs on laid on paper with handwritten text

Purchased 2008

The First Ministry under Responsible Government in New South Wales
The First Ministry under Responsible Government in New South Wales
The First Ministry under Responsible Government in New South Wales

The First Ministry under Responsible Government in New South Wales, 1856

Freeman Brothers
Portrait, albumen silver photograph

Purchased with funds provided by L Gordon Darling AC CMG 2009

William Macleay
William Macleay
William Macleay

William Macleay, 1885

William Macleod after Freeman Brothers
Portrait, lithograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2014

image not online

Study "Radical Restraint: A Portrait of Michael Kirby", 1998

Ralph Heimans AM
Portrait, pencil and crayon on paper

Gift of the artist 2001

Dawn Fraser

Out of the blocks

Early sporting fame
General content

Dawn Fraser, Lionel Rose, Shane Gould and Cathy Freeman

Common ground, 2007 by Dean Sewell

Common ground, 2007

by Dean Sewell
Image
In the mirror: self portrait with Joy Hester

Depth of Field

Portrait Photography from the Collection
Previous exhibition, 2004

Over the last five years the National Portrait Gallery has developed a collection of portrait photographs that reflects both the strength and diversity of Australian achievement as well as the talents of our photographers.

Self portrait
Self portrait
Self portrait

Self portrait, 1937

Harold Cazneaux
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Purchased 2015

Portrait of Dr John Bradfield
Portrait of Dr John Bradfield
Portrait of Dr John Bradfield

Portrait of Dr John Bradfield, c. 1920-1924

Reginald Jerrold-Nathan
Portrait, oil on canvas

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the family of Dr J J C Bradfield 2006
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

An evening at Yarra Cottage, Port Stephens

Home is where the heart is

Nearest & Dearest

For richer, for poorer

James T. Donovan
James T. Donovan
James T. Donovan

James T. Donovan, 1892

Tom Roberts
Portrait, oil on canvas

Purchased 2015

Dr Paul Scully-Power
Dr Paul Scully-Power
Dr Paul Scully-Power

Dr Paul Scully-Power, 2005

Evert Ploeg
Portrait, oil on canvas

Purchased with funds provided by donors 2006

Bart Willoughby
Bart Willoughby
Bart Willoughby

Bart Willoughby, c. 2000

Penny Tweedie
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Gift of the artist 2004

John Farnham

Glossy - Faces Magazines Now

Previous exhibition, 1999

Magazines are the portrait galleries of the 90s... Glossy is about magazines. The exhibition presents the work of eight photographers, Australian by birth or long-term residency, who are producing portraits for publication in magazines around the world.

Bart Willoughby (No Fixed Address) at 'The National Land Rights Action' march
Bart Willoughby (No Fixed Address) at 'The National Land Rights Action' march
Bart Willoughby (No Fixed Address) at 'The National Land Rights Action' march

Bart Willoughby (No Fixed Address) at 'The National Land Rights Action' march, 1982

Juno Gemes
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Gift of the artist 2021. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Gooseberry, widow of King Bungaree
Gooseberry, widow of King Bungaree
Gooseberry, widow of King Bungaree

Gooseberry, widow of King Bungaree, 1836

William Fernyhough
Portrait, lithograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Dr Robert Edwards AO 1999
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

Cathy Freeman, 1994

Depth of Field

Magazine article by Lauren Dalla, 2004

The exhibition Depth of Field displays a selection of portrait photographs that reflect the strength and diversity of Australian achievement.

Tim Rogers (You Am I)
Tim Rogers (You Am I)
Tim Rogers (You Am I)

Tim Rogers (You Am I), 1995

Montalbetti + Campbell
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Gift of the artists 2003

Russell Hopkinson (You Am I)
Russell Hopkinson (You Am I)
Russell Hopkinson (You Am I)

Russell Hopkinson (You Am I), 1995

Montalbetti + Campbell
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Gift of the artists 2003

Andy Kent (You Am I)
Andy Kent (You Am I)
Andy Kent (You Am I)

Andy Kent (You Am I), 1995

Montalbetti + Campbell
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Gift of the artists 2003

Layne Beachley

Collection: Icons

Volume One
Previous exhibition, 2018

When a portrait communicates determination and individuality as boldly as these do, it has the potential to become an iconic image. For the Gallery’s 20th birthday this display brings together a group contemporary photographic portraits of inspiring women and men.

Lee Lin Chin

Icons

Parliament House
Touring exhibition, 2019

When a portrait communicates determination and individuality as boldly as these do, it has the potential to become an iconic image. For the Gallery’s 20th birthday this display brings together a group contemporary photographic portraits of inspiring women and men.

Fred Hollows
Fred Hollows
Fred Hollows

Fred Hollows, 1993

Kerrie Lester
Portrait, oil and hand-stitching on canvas

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 1999
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

Kerrie Lester
Kerrie Lester
Kerrie Lester

Kerrie Lester, 1990

Anne Zahalka
Portrait, type C Duraflex print on paper

Gift of Leo Christie 2003. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

image not online

Supporters

$5,000 - $9,999
Honour board
Richard Henry Horne
Richard Henry Horne
Richard Henry Horne

Richard Henry Horne, mid 1860s

Batchelder & Company Photo
Portrait, albumen paper carte de visite

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds provided by Graham Smith 2009

Margaret Robertson
Margaret Robertson
Margaret Robertson

Margaret Robertson, c. 1863

Batchelder & O'Neill
Portrait, albumen paper carte de visite

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Malcolm Robertson in memory of William Thomas Robertson 2018
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

Frances Perry
Frances Perry
Frances Perry

Frances Perry, c. 1863

Batchelder & O'Neill
Portrait, albumen paper carte de visite

Purchased 2012

Charles Perry
Charles Perry
Charles Perry

Charles Perry, c. 1863

Batchelder & O'Neill
Portrait, albumen photograph on carte de visite

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2012

image not online

Annual Appeal

Listed by year
Honour board
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.

Johnny O'Keefe

Making Portraits

Five Years of National Portrait Gallery Commissions
Previous exhibition, 2004

The considered matching of artist to subject has produced an amazing collection of unique and original works in the permanent collection of the National Portrait Gallery

Jessie Street

First Ladies

Significant Australian Women 1913–2013
Previous exhibition, 2013

First Ladies profiles women who have achieved noteworthy firsts over the past 100 years.

Charles Summers
Charles Summers
Charles Summers

Charles Summers, late 1860s

Batchelder & Company Photo
Portrait, albumen paper carte de visite

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds provided by Graham Smith 2009

Tim Winton

2020 Annual Appeal

Annual Appeal

In 2020 the Annual Appeal was focussed on Sally Robinson's remarkable portrait of author Tim Winton.

Sir Henry Barkly
Sir Henry Barkly
Sir Henry Barkly

Sir Henry Barkly, c. 1863

Batchelder & O'Neill
Portrait, albumen photograph carte de visite on card

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2010

Diamond Psyched Sequence: Stoner, 2008

Observation point

Magazine article by Shaun Gladwell, 2011

Australian artist Shaun Gladwell discusses his portraits of champion athletes.

Lady Barkly
Lady Barkly
Lady Barkly

Lady Barkly, 1863

Batchelder & O'Neill
Portrait, albumen silver carte de visite on card

Purchased 2014

Turia Pitt

2021 Annual Appeal

Annual Appeal

In 2021 the Annual Appeal was focussed on Peter Brew-Bevan's portraits of athletes Turia Pitt, Leisel Jones OAM and Ellie Cole OAM.

Elle Macpherson

Australian Visit

Previous exhibition, 2006

The exhibition will include works of art from the NPG Canberra's permanent collection with some inward loans and aims to highlight the achievements of notable Australians.

James, Rebecca and Sam Mapu

Time and light

In Gallery Seven
Previous exhibition, 2023

This sample of 56 photographs takes in some of the smallest photographs we own and some of the largest, some of the earliest and some of the most recent, as well as multiple photographic processes from daguerreotypes to digital media.

Andy Thomas

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.

Cormac and Callum, 2008 by Ingvar Kenne

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2009

Previous exhibition, 2009

In its second year at the National Portrait Gallery, and for the first time touring to other venues, the National Photographic Portrait Prize 2009 continues to present surprising perspectives on the nature of contemporary portrait photography.

L. Gordon Darling AC CMG

Portrait of a patron

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2007

A new painting by Jiawei Shen captures the vision and resolve of the Gallery's founder, L. Gordon Darling AC CMG.

Ned Kelly death mask

Sideshow Alley

Infamy, the macabre & the portrait
Previous exhibition, 2015

Death masks, post-mortem drawings and other spooky and disquieting portraits... Come and see how portraits of infamous Australians were used in the 19th century.

As long as you're here, 2013 by Tony Curran

Touchy touchy

Magazine article by Tony Curran, 2015

Tony Curran ponders whether our phones can change the course of painting.

Sir Thomas Gore-Browne
Sir Thomas Gore-Browne
Sir Thomas Gore-Browne

Sir Thomas Gore-Browne, 1864

J Walch & Sons
Portrait, tinted lithograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2018

Portrait of Professor Derek Freeman

Paper weight

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2022

Joanna Gilmour delves into a collection display that celebrates the immediacy and potency of drawing as an art form in its own right.

Ethel Turner

Moving in creative circles

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2008

Harold Cazneaux's portraits of influential Sydneysiders included Margaret Preston and Ethel Turner, both important figures in the development of ideas about Australian identity and culture.

Cathy Freeman, 1998 Julian Kingma

In profile

Julian Kingma
Magazine article by Penelope Grist, 2023

Penelope Grist explores the photographic instinct of four-time National Photographic Portrait Prize finalist Julian Kingma.

Senator Bonner

Black tie or wombat: How formal should I go?

Magazine article by Michael Desmond, 2008

Michael Desmond discusses the portrait of Senator Neville Bonner by Robert Campbell Jnr.

Studio of the American & Australasian Photographic Co., Hill End, 1872

A rogue's calling card

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2008

Joanna Gilmour explores the stories behind the ninteenth-century carte de visites of bushrangers Frank Gardiner and Fred Lowry.

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.

Betty Bryant, c. 1939

The life of Bryant

Magazine article by Tenille Hands, 2018

Tenille Hands explores a portrait prize gifted to the National Screen and Sound Archive.

The artist and her family, c. 1854 by Martha Berkeley

Presence and absence

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2018

The art of Australia’s colonial women painters affords us an invaluable, alternative perspective on the nascent nation-building project.

Henry Lawson

Regarding Henrys

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2015

Sarah Engledow ponders the divergent legacies of Messrs Kendall and Lawson.

An evening at Yarra Cottage, Port Stephens

Maria Caroline Brownrigg

About Face article

At first glance, this small watercolour group portrait of her two sons and four daughters by Maria Caroline Brownrigg (d. 1880) may seem prosaic, even hesitant

Seven sisters song Kaylene Whiskey

You are who?

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2022

Joanna Gilmour reflects on merging collections and challenging traditional assumptions around portraiture in WHO ARE YOU.

Barry Humphries

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.

© National Portrait Gallery 2024
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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