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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.

Clifton Pugh painting in the studio

Clifton Pugh

In their own words
In their own words

Recorded 1965

Sketch for portrait of Tom Uren
Sketch for portrait of Tom Uren
Sketch for portrait of Tom Uren

Sketch for portrait of Tom Uren, 1972

Clifton Pugh AO
Portrait, oil and enamel on hardboard

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Tom Uren's family 2017
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

Clifton Pugh painting in the studio
Clifton Pugh painting in the studio
Clifton Pugh painting in the studio

Clifton Pugh painting in the studio, 1974

Fred Williams
Portrait, oil on canvas

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Lyn Williams AM 2011
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

Eric McIllree
Eric McIllree
Eric McIllree

Eric McIllree, 1971

Clifton Pugh AO
Portrait, oil on masonite

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Janice McIllree 2012
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

A Portrait (Kate Hattam)
A Portrait (Kate Hattam)
A Portrait (Kate Hattam)

A Portrait (Kate Hattam), 1956

Clifton Pugh AO
Portrait, oil on board

Purchased 2006

Barry Humphries
Barry Humphries
Barry Humphries

Barry Humphries, 1958

Clifton Pugh AO
Portrait, oil on canvas

Gift of L Gordon Darling AC CMG and Marilyn Darling AC 1998. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Sir Lindesay Clark
Sir Lindesay Clark
Sir Lindesay Clark

Sir Lindesay Clark, 1973

Clifton Pugh AO
Portrait, oil on canvas

Gift of Alcoa World Alumina Australia 2005. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Clyde Cameron
Clyde Cameron
Clyde Cameron

Clyde Cameron, 1974

Clifton Pugh AO
Portrait, oil on masonite

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the Estate of Clyde Cameron 2012

Study of Archbishop Daniel Mannix
Study of Archbishop Daniel Mannix
Study of Archbishop Daniel Mannix

Study of Archbishop Daniel Mannix, 1962

Clifton Pugh AO
Portrait, oil on composition board

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2005

Sketch of Clifton Pugh painting John Perceval
Sketch of Clifton Pugh painting John Perceval
Sketch of Clifton Pugh painting John Perceval

Sketch of Clifton Pugh painting John Perceval, 1985

Rick Amor
Portrait, pencil on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2016

Clifton Pugh and John Olsen, Dunmoochin
Clifton Pugh and John Olsen, Dunmoochin
Clifton Pugh and John Olsen, Dunmoochin

Clifton Pugh and John Olsen, Dunmoochin, 1969

Mark Strizic
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 1999

David Armstrong, B.A., B. Phil.
David Armstrong, B.A., B. Phil.
David Armstrong, B.A., B. Phil.

David Armstrong, B.A., B. Phil., 1959

Clifton Pugh AO
Portrait, oil on masonite

Gift of Jennifer Armstrong 2018. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Clifton Pugh painting in the studio

Painting mates

Magazine article by Michael Desmond, 2011

Michael Desmond discusses Fred Williams' portraits of friends, artist Clifton Pugh, David Aspden and writer Stephen Murray-Smith, and the stylistic connections between his portraits and landscapes.

Self portrait, 1954

A sketch for some portraits

Magazine article by Judith Pugh, 2005

Judith Pugh reflects on Clifton Pugh's approach to portrait making.

Barry Humphries

Clifton Pugh

Australians
Previous exhibition, 2005

This exhibition offers a comprehensive display of Clifton Pugh's portraits revealing his development and growth from tonal paintings to a unique style that was in demand from politicians, artists, academics and Australian personalities.

Marea Gazzard

The Iconoclasts

In Gallery Three
Current exhibition

Australian portraiture of the mid-twentieth century was rich with the influence of European modernism, exemplified by the work of artists including Arthur Boyd, Judy Cassab and Clifton Pugh.

Marea Gazzard

The Iconoclasts

Now on display in Gallery Three
General content

Australian portraiture of the mid-twentieth century was rich with the influence of European modernism, exemplified by the work of artists including Arthur Boyd, Judy Cassab and Clifton Pugh.

Deborah Mailman

Portrait Allsorts

In Gallery Seven
Previous exhibition, 2020

Offering portraiture in all its flavours: painting, photography, drawing, textiles, printmaking and sculpture, this exhibition is a feast for minds and eyes.

Hal Hattam
Hal Hattam
Hal Hattam

Hal Hattam, 1960

Fred Williams
Portrait, oil on masonite

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the Hattam family in memory of Hal and Kate Hattam 2006
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

King Edward VII, 1910 by George Lambert

Of Kings and men

Celebrating 100 years of the Historic Memorials Collection
Previous exhibition, 2011

This display celebrates 100 years of the Historic Memorials Collection and its role in commissioning portraits of parliamentary and judicial figures in Australia.

Untitled (portrait of Barbara Blackman)
Untitled (portrait of Barbara Blackman)
Untitled (portrait of Barbara Blackman)

Untitled (portrait of Barbara Blackman), 1976

Charles Blackman OBE
Portrait, charcoal on paper

Purchased 2009

Tim Burstall, Andamooka (filming of the Last of the Knucklemen)
Tim Burstall, Andamooka (filming of the Last of the Knucklemen)
Tim Burstall, Andamooka (filming of the Last of the Knucklemen)

Tim Burstall, Andamooka (filming of the Last of the Knucklemen), c. 1979

Rennie Ellis
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2006

Jack Purtell
Jack Purtell
Jack Purtell

Jack Purtell, n.d.

John Frith
Portrait, plasticine maquette

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the Frith family 2013

Barbara Blackman
Barbara Blackman
Barbara Blackman

Barbara Blackman, 2008

Gorgi Dimcevski
Portrait, oil on canvas

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Barbara Blackman 2009

Manning Clark
Manning Clark
Manning Clark

Manning Clark, 1985

Rick Amor
Portrait, pencil on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2005
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

Gough and John
Gough and John
Gough and John

Gough and John, 1981

Peter van der Veer
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph, selenium toned on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2005

John Perceval
John Perceval
John Perceval

John Perceval, 1985

Rick Amor
Portrait, pencil on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2005
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

Sir Ian Potter

Mark Strizic

A Journey in Photography
Previous exhibition, 2004

This exhibition traces the creative output of nearly 50 years by one of Australia's landmark living photographers.

Clifton Pugh and John Olsen, Dunmoochin

Poet of the Fleeting Moment

Magazine article by Simon Elliott, 2004

Mark Strizic's work crosses a broad spectrum of photographic fields including urban, industrial, commercial, and architectural photography. 

Sue Ford 1980-2006
Sue Ford 1980-2006
Sue Ford 1980-2006

Sue Ford 1980-2006, 1980-2006 (printed 2013)

Ruth Maddison
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Purchased 2013

A Portrait (Kate Hattam)

Melbourne experience

Magazine article by Diana Warnes, 2007

Diana Warnes explores the lives of Hal and Katherine 'Kate' Hattam through their portraits painted by Fred Williams and Clifton Pugh.

Portrait of Professor Graeme Clark

Portraits for Posterity

Previous exhibition, 2006

Drawn from some of the many donations made to the Gallery's collection, the exhibition Portraits for Posterity pays homage both to the remarkable (and varied) group of Australians who are portrayed in the portraits and the generosity of the many donors who have presented them to the Gallery.

Opening of the First Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia by H.R.H. The Duke of Cornwall and York, May 9, 1901, 1903 by Tom Roberts

Empire records

Magazine article by Kylie Scroope, 2011

Celebrates the centenary of the first national art collection, the Historic Memorials Collection, housed at Australia's Parliament House.

Stephen Murray-Smith
Stephen Murray-Smith
Stephen Murray-Smith

Stephen Murray-Smith, 1980

Fred Williams
Portrait, oil on canvas

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Lyn Williams AM 2011
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

Andrew Sayers
Andrew Sayers
Andrew Sayers

Andrew Sayers, 2012

Mark Mohell
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph, selenium toned on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds provided by Marilyn Darling AC 2013

Professor Peter Doherty

Rick Amor

21 Portraits
Previous exhibition, 2014

Rick Amor, noblest yet most unaffected of contemporary Australian portraitists, is also a painter of enigmatic, ominous landscapes, seascapes and cityscapes that haunt the viewer like dreams, dimly-recalled.

Mark McManus as Will by Mark Strizic

In and out of focus

Magazine article by Gael Newton, 2017

Gael Newton looks at Australian photography, film and the sixties through the novel lens of Mark Strizic.

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.

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.

Andrew Sayers AM

Past directors

History

Directors of the National Portrait Gallery from 1998 to today.

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.

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.

Professor Peter Doherty

Friends and Acquaintances

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2005

Dr. Sarah Engledow discusses a collection of drawings and prints by the Victorian artist Rick Amor acquired in 2005.

Andrew Sayers

Andrew Sayers AM FAHA

13 October 2015
Archived media releases 2015

The Chairman, Board, Director and staff mourn the loss of the National Portrait Gallery's inaugural director.

Dr Peter Farrell

Giving and getting

Magazine article by Michael Desmond, 2006

The exhibition Portraits for Posterity celebrates gifts to the Gallery, of purchases made with donated funds, and testifies to the generosity and community spirit of Australians.

Layla 2020 Veronica Watson, pencil on paper. Layla 2020 Sarah McEwan, fabric, acrylic on MDF. Self portrait 2020 Layla Bacayo, drypoint on paper. Image: Sarah McEwan

Mash-up

Magazine article by Penelope Grist, 2022

Penelope Grist delves into an insightful portraiture exhibition that asks: How do three artists see the same sitter?

Patrick Ryan, 1968 by Mark Strizic

The silent partner

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2015

One half of the team that was Eltham Films left scarcely a trace in the written historical record, but survives in a vivid portrait.

Barry Humphries

Talking heads

About Face article

In their own words lead researcher Louise Maher on the novel project that lets the Gallery’s portraits speak for themselves.

Sam and the Perfect World, 2005

The news from Washington

Magazine article by Lauretta Morton, 2006

Australia's former Cultural Attache to the USA, Ron Ramsey, describes the mood at the opening week of the revitalised American National Portrait Gallery.

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.

Barry Humphries

No Laughing Matter

Magazine article by Simon Elliott, 2002

The biographical exhibition of Barry Humphries was the first display of its kind at the National Portrait Gallery.

Self portrait

Rick Amor: 21 Portraits

General content

Sarah Engledow chronicles Rick Amor's work and accomplishments in this extensive essay in conjunction with the exhibition Rick Amor: 21 Portraits.

The Right Honourable Sir Ninian Stephen KGAK GCMG GCVO KBE QC, 2006 by Rick Amor

Prima facie

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2019

Sarah Engledow casts a judicious eye over portraits in the Victorian Bar’s Peter O’Callaghan QC Portrait Gallery.

National Portrait Gallery

History

About us

How the National Portrait Gallery and its unique collection came to be

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.

George Reid paperweight

Some prime ministers

General content

Sarah Engledow explores the history of the prime ministers and artists featured in the exhibition.

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.

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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 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.

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