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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.

Portrait of Brendan Nelson, 2019 Todd Simpson

Portrait of Brendan Nelson, 2019

Todd Simpson
Image
image not online

Max Schubert, 1980

David Simpson
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2014

Alfred Simpson
Alfred Simpson
Alfred Simpson

Alfred Simpson, c. 1866

an unknown artist
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds provided by L Gordon Darling AC CMG 2014

Sarah Simpson
Sarah Simpson
Sarah Simpson

Sarah Simpson, c. 1866

an unknown artist
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds provided by L Gordon Darling AC CMG 2014

Alice Want
Alice Want
Alice Want

Alice Want, 1853

William Nicholas
Portrait, pencil and watercolour on paper

Gift of the Simpson family in memory of Caroline Simpson OAM 2008. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Edward Telford Simpson
Edward Telford Simpson
Edward Telford Simpson

Edward Telford Simpson, 1919

John St Helier Lander
Portrait, oil on canvas

Gift of the Simpson family in memory of Caroline Simpson OAM 2008. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Me and My Place, 2023 Emily Ma

Me and My Place

Emily Ma
Image
Emily Fairfax
Emily Fairfax
Emily Fairfax

Emily Fairfax, 1870

William Macleod
Portrait, oil on canvas laid on board

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of John Fairfax Holdings Ltd 2002
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

Emily Spencer Wills
Emily Spencer Wills
Emily Spencer Wills

Emily Spencer Wills, c. 1855

an unknown artist
Portrait, 1/6 plate daguerreotype with applied colour in al brass matt (without original leather case)

Gift of T S Wills Cooke 2014. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Ngalim-Ngalimbooroo Ngagenybe

Storied portrait

About Face article

Emily Casey takes in Shirley Purdie’s remarkable self-portrait, Ngalim-Ngalimbooroo Ngagenybe.

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')
Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')
Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily'), 1993

Jenny Sages
Portrait, charcoal on paper

Gift of the artist 2002. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')
Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')
Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily'), 1993

Jenny Sages
Portrait, charcoal on paper

Gift of the artist 2002. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')
Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')
Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily'), 1993

Jenny Sages
Portrait, charcoal on paper

Gift of the artist 2002. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')
Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')
Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily'), 1993

Jenny Sages
Portrait, charcoal on paper

Gift of the artist 2002. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')
Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')
Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily'), 1993

Jenny Sages
Portrait, charcoal on paper

Gift of the artist 2002. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')
Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')
Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily'), 1993

Jenny Sages
Portrait, charcoal on paper

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

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')
Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')
Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily'), 1993

Jenny Sages
Portrait, charcoal on paper

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

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')
Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')
Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily'), 1993

Jenny Sages
Portrait, charcoal on paper

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

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')
Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')
Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily'), 1993

Jenny Sages
Portrait, charcoal on paper

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

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')
Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')
Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily'), 1993

Jenny Sages
Portrait, charcoal on paper

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

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')
Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')
Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily'), 1993

Jenny Sages
Portrait, charcoal on paper

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

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')
Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')
Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily'), 1993

Jenny Sages
Portrait, charcoal on paper

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

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')
Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')
Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily'), 1993

Jenny Sages
Portrait, charcoal on paper

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

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')
Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')
Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily'), 1993

Jenny Sages
Portrait, charcoal on paper

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

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')
Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')
Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily'), 1993

Jenny Sages
Portrait, charcoal on paper

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

Emily
Emily
Emily

Emily, 1994

Greg Weight
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Gift of Patrick Corrigan AM 2004. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Emily's brush
Emily's brush
Emily's brush

Emily's brush, 1994

Greg Weight
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Gift of Patrick Corrigan AM 2004. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily

Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily, 1993

Jenny Sages
Portrait, oil on canvas

Purchased 1998

Emily Kame Kngwarreye
Emily Kame Kngwarreye
Emily Kame Kngwarreye

Emily Kame Kngwarreye, 1995

Jenny Sages
Portrait, charcoal on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Dr. Morris Low 2000

Emily Kngwarreye
Emily Kngwarreye
Emily Kngwarreye

Emily Kngwarreye, 1994

Greg Weight
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Gift of Patrick Corrigan AM 2004. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Emily Kame Kngwarreye
Emily Kame Kngwarreye
Emily Kame Kngwarreye

Emily Kame Kngwarreye, 1995

Jenny Sages
Portrait, charcoal on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Bequest of Alan Boxer 2014

True Stories - Helen Garner

Jenny Sages

Paths to Portraiture
Previous exhibition, 2010

The exhibition Sages examines the process of portrait making through four large-scale portraits of women by Jenny Sages, paired with intimate preparatory drawings.

Emily and Effi, 2021 Bec Lorrimer

Emily and Effi

Bec Lorrimer
Image
The Brontë Sisters (Anne Brontë; Emily Brontë; Charlotte Brontë), c. 1834 Patrick Branwell Brontë

The Brontë Sisters (Anne Brontë; Emily Brontë; Charlotte Brontë)

Patrick Branwell Brontë
Image
A Sydney family, 1840s

The house, the horse, the wife and the offspring

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2009

Joanna Gilmour writes about the portraiture of the colonial artist William Nicholas.

Marcie Elizabeth Wilson
Marcie Elizabeth Wilson
Marcie Elizabeth Wilson

Marcie Elizabeth Wilson, 1922

George Lambert
Portrait, pencil on paper

Gift of the Simpson family in memory of Caroline Simpson OAM 2008. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

William Hardy Wilson at Purulia, Warrawee
William Hardy Wilson at Purulia, Warrawee
William Hardy Wilson at Purulia, Warrawee

William Hardy Wilson at Purulia, Warrawee, 1921 (printed by Max Dupain 1981)

Harold Cazneaux, Max Dupain OBE
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Gift of the Simpson Family in memory of Caroline Simpson OAM 2008. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Sir Charles Lloyd Jones
Sir Charles Lloyd Jones
Sir Charles Lloyd Jones

Sir Charles Lloyd Jones, 1951

Sir William Dobell OBE
Portrait, oil on composition board

Gift of the Simpson family in memory of Caroline Simpson OAM 2008. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Lola Montes

Bringing down a kingdom

Lust

The king and the showgirl

William Charles Wentworth
William Charles Wentworth
William Charles Wentworth

William Charles Wentworth, 1854

Thomas Woolner
Portrait, cast bronze relief medallion

Gift of the Simpson family in memory of Caroline Simpson OAM 2008. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Rosemary Madigan
Rosemary Madigan
Rosemary Madigan

Rosemary Madigan, 1992

Greg Weight
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Gift of Patrick Corrigan AM 2004. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Autumn evenings golden glow, c.1942 by Hilda Rix Nicholas

Paris to Monaro

Pleasures from the studio of Hilda Rix Nicholas
Previous exhibition, 2013

After successfully exploring the art scenes of London, France and Morocco, Hilda Rix Nicholas settled at Knockalong, a property near Delegate, on the Monaro plain in the 1920s.

Twelve portraits of finalists for the Little Darlings Youth Portrait Prize 2023

Little Darlings Youth Portrait Prize 2023

Previous exhibition, 2023

Little Darlings is for primary and secondary students, with four separate categories across Kindergarten to Year 12. Responding to the theme ‘Me and my place’, students painted, drew, photographed, printed or combined all of these to make their portrait.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother)
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother)
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother)

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother), 1943-1944

Charles Wheeler
Portrait, coloured chalk on artist board

Purchased 2019

Ada Bird Petyarre
Ada Bird Petyarre
Ada Bird Petyarre

Ada Bird Petyarre, 1990

Anne Zahalka
Portrait, type C Duraflex print on paper

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

Ningali Lawford-Wolf

Powerful Indigenous women

Magazine article by June Oscar AO, 2017

June Oscar AO lauds three iconic Aboriginal figures in the Portrait Gallery collection who have inspired and influenced her.

The cast of the Walls That Talk

Alluring Performance Brings Gallery to Life

5 April 2019
Archived media releases 2019

See the Gallery through a different lens and experience the portraits with a unique sensorial performance of movement, voice and live sound.

General Cosgrove, Dili, East Timor 1999
General Cosgrove, Dili, East Timor 1999
General Cosgrove, Dili, East Timor 1999

General Cosgrove, Dili, East Timor 1999, 2006

Rick Amor
Portrait, oil on canvas

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds provided by Andrew Cannon and L. Gordon Darling AC CMG 2006

D.A.S. Campbell (David Alexander Stewart Campbell)
D.A.S. Campbell (David Alexander Stewart Campbell)
D.A.S. Campbell (David Alexander Stewart Campbell)

D.A.S. Campbell (David Alexander Stewart Campbell), 1963

Sir William Dargie CBE
Portrait, oil on canvas

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Dr Mary Newlinds and Sheena Simpson in memory of their father, D.A.S. Campbell, 2014

Lady Barkly
Lady Barkly
Lady Barkly

Lady Barkly, 1863

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

Purchased 2014

Spencer 2016, by Warwick Baker

Tough & Tender

Previous exhibition, 2016

Art by Warwick Baker, Chris Burden, Larry Clark, Rozalind Drummond, Nan Goldin, Robert Mapplethorpe and Collier Schorr explores personal relations, individual expression and fluid identity.

Gloria Petyarre
Gloria Petyarre
Gloria Petyarre

Gloria Petyarre, 1994

Greg Weight
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Gift of Patrick Corrigan AM 2004. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Self portrait (Hilda in the Chinoise hat)
Self portrait (Hilda in the Chinoise hat)
Self portrait (Hilda in the Chinoise hat)

Self portrait (Hilda in the Chinoise hat), c. 1913

Hilda Rix Nicholas
Portrait, pastel and coloured pencil on paper

Gift of Bronwyn Wright 2013. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Carl Cooper

Portrait Gallery benefits from generous Boxer bequest

8 April 2015
Archived media releases 2015

Canberran and modernist art collector Alan Boxer has generously bequeathed two works by artists Arthur Boyd and Jenny Sages to the National Portrait Gallery.

Russell Page in Venice
Russell Page in Venice
Russell Page in Venice

Russell Page in Venice, 1997

Brenda L Croft
Portrait, triptych of type C photographs on paper

Purchased 2002

Gloria Petyarre
Gloria Petyarre
Gloria Petyarre

Gloria Petyarre, 2005

R. Ian Lloyd
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Gift of the artist 2010. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

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.

image not online

Annual Appeal

Listed by year
Honour board
Each morning when I wake up I put on my mothers face, 2000

Paths to portraiture

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2010

The life and art of Australian artist Jenny Sages is on display in the exhibition Paths to Portraiture.

Escape, 2006 by Eddy Collett

Headspace 7

Me and My Place
Previous exhibition, 2006

Headspace 7: Me and My Place, the seventh in the National Portrait Gallery's series of student exhibitions, will be presented at Commonwealth Place. Me and My Place is the curatorial theme for the 2006 exhibition.

Great Suffragette demonstration in London
Great Suffragette demonstration in London
Great Suffragette demonstration in London

Great Suffragette demonstration in London, 1911

Rose Stereograph Company
Portrait, stereo view gelatin silver photograph on paper

Purchased 2011

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.

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.

Georg von Neumayer
Georg von Neumayer
Georg von Neumayer

Georg von Neumayer, c. 1860

Johnstone & Co
Portrait, albumen paper carte de visite

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

William Johnson (1873—1948) by Percy Leason

Recognition

Percy Leason's Aboriginal Portraits
Previous exhibition, 1999

Originally conceived as an anthropological record, Percy Leason’s powerful 1934 portraits of Victorian Aboriginal people are today considered to be a highlight of 20th century Australian portraiture

Margaret Whitlam

Open Air

Portraits in the Landscape
Previous exhibition, 2008

Open Air is an exhibition of portraits of Australians in environments of particular significance to them.

Martha Mary Robertson
Martha Mary Robertson
Martha Mary Robertson

Martha Mary Robertson, 1866

Johnstone O'Shannessy & Co
Portrait, albumen photograph on 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

General Cosgrove, Dili, East Timor 1999

On active service

Magazine article by Sam Bowker, 2007

The National Portrait Gallery has acquired an evocative depiction of soldier Peter Cosgrove by the Victorian-based painter, printmaker and sculptor Rick Amor.

Silent Strength, 2021 Wayne Quilliam

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2022

Previous exhibition, 2022

The exhibition is selected from a national field of entries, reflecting the distinctive vision of Australia's aspiring and professional portrait photographers and the unique nature of their subjects.

William St. Leonards Robertson
William St. Leonards Robertson
William St. Leonards Robertson

William St. Leonards Robertson, c. 1869

Johnstone O'Shannessy & Co
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

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.

Portrait23: Identity logo

Announcing... Portrait23: Identity

15 November 2022
Media

In this major new exhibition marking the National Portrait Gallery’s third decade, 23 Australian artists and collectives have been invited to create portraits without constraints or boundaries.

True Stories - Helen Garner

True Stories

Magazine article by Simon Elliott, 2005

The story behind the creation of the portrait of Helen Garner by Jenny Sages.

Nicholas Chevalier
Nicholas Chevalier
Nicholas Chevalier

Nicholas Chevalier, c. 1867

Johnstone O'Shannessy & Co
Portrait, albumen photograph on carte de visite

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

Martha Kermode
Martha Kermode
Martha Kermode

Martha Kermode, c. 1840

Henry Mundy
Portrait, oil on canvas

Purchased 2008. The original frame for this work was donated to the National Portrait Gallery of Australia by the National Gallery of Victoria 2009.

Robert Kermode
Robert Kermode
Robert Kermode

Robert Kermode, c. 1840

Henry Mundy
Portrait, oil on canvas

Purchased 2008. The original frame for this work was donated to the National Portrait Gallery of Australia by the National Gallery of Victoria 2009.

Thomas Sutcliffe Mort and his wife Theresa

Husbands and Wives

Photographic Portraits from 19th Century Australia
Previous exhibition, 2010

'I have just been to my dressing case to take a peep at you.

Margaret Anderson

The line of fire

Magazine article by Michelle Fracaro, 2005

Michelle Fracaro examines the life of World War II nurse Margaret Anderson, whose portrait by Napier Waller is in the NPG collection.

Quong Tart, 1880s

Finest quality

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2010

Joanna Gilmour explores the life of Chinese-Australian businessman and philanthropist Quong Tart.

Elizabeth

The National Portrait Prizes

29 January 2020
Archived media releases 2020

The National Portrait Gallery today announced finalists for the inaugural Darling Portrait Prize, a national new $75,000 prize for Australian portrait painting, and released selected images from the final prize pool for the popular National Photography Portrait Prize.

June Dally-Watkins

2023 Annual Appeal

Annual Appeal

In 2023 the Annual Appeal was focussed on a work by one of Australia's best loved and most successful portrait painters, Judy Cassab AO CBE, depicting model, entrepreneur and deportment icon, June Dally-Watkins OAM.

Sammy Dodd

2022 Annual Appeal

Annual Appeal

In 2022 the Annual Appeal was focussed on Mayatjara by Robert Fielding, a series of 24 photographs of Elders of the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara community.

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.

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.

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.

Joan Kirner

Joan Alone

Magazine article by Julia Gillard AC, 2015

Julia Gillard pays poignant tribute to her friend and mentor, the late Joan Kirner, Victoria’s first and only female premier.

Kaloti Parmjit, 2012 by Louise Whelan

Louise Whelan

Finalist interviews

I met Kaloti Parmjit the day I took the photo. I first visited the Sikh temple in the suburb of Glenwood to take photos as part of a social documentary project I'm undertaking for the State Library of NSW.

Francis Bacon on Primrose Hill, 1963

Shadows of light

Magazine article by Mark Haworth-Booth, 2002

Mark Haworth-Booth explains why Bill Brandt is one of the most important British photographers of the Twentieth Century.

Sir Charles Lloyd Jones

Home and away

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2009

Sir William Dobell painted the portraits of Sir Charles Lloyd Jones and Sir Hudson Fysh, who did much to promote the image of Australia in this country and abroad.

Untitled #88 (Captain Brad Kilpatrick and Kylie Minogue, Balibo, East Timor, 20 December 1999)

For the boys

Magazine article by Alistair McGhie, 2011

The photographs from Matthew Sleeth's tour of duty series look more like advertisements than images of war.

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.

Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily

Illuminating history

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2023

Joanna Gilmour reflects on 25 years of collecting at the National Portrait Gallery.

image not online

Portrait Donors

Listed by year
Honour board
Abraham Lincoln, 1865

Washington preview

Magazine article by Lauretta Morton, 2005

Ron Ramsey, former Director of Cultural Relations at the Embassy of Australia interviewed NPG Washington Director, Marc Pachter, about their building renovations.

Miss Evelyn Chapman, 1918

Lovers of light

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2008

Dr Sarah Engledow traces the significant links between Antonio Dattilo-Rubbo and Evelyn Chapman through their portraits.

Lady Barkly

A real Pratt

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2015

The death of a gentlewoman is shrouded in mystery, a well-liked governor finds love after sorrow, and two upright men become entangled in the historical record.

Helen Blaxland judging flower arrangements, c. 1940s photographer unknown

Petal to the mettle

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2019

Sarah Engledow lauds the very civil service of Dame Helen Blaxland.

Self portrait

Give me five

Magazine article by Karen Quinlan AM, 2021

National Portrait Gallery director Karen Quinlan AM nominates her quintet of favourites from the collection, with early twentieth-century ‘selfies’ filling the roster.

William Shakespeare, c. 1600-1610  associated with John Taylor

Take thy face hence

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2022

Joanna Gilmour travels through time to explore the National Portrait Gallery London’s masterpieces in Shakespeare to Winehouse.

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).

Mary Chomley

Women make history

Magazine article by Jennifer Higgie, 2022

Jennifer Higgie uncovers the intriguing stories behind portraits of women by women in the National Portrait Gallery’s collection.

‘Untitled’ - Yellow Kangaroo Paw, 2008 by Christian Thompson

The 'I' in Indigenous art

Magazine article by Jane Raffan, 2013

Jane Raffan examines unique styles of Indigenous portraiture that challenge traditional Western concepts of the artform.

My father-in-law watering his garden, 1986 by Davida Allen

Lovingly observed

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2009

Sarah Engledow previews the beguiling summer exhibition, Idle hours.

Billy Hughes paperweight

Mugshots

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2006

A toast to the acquisition of an unconventional new portrait of former Prime Minister, Stanley Melbourne Bruce.

Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose, 1885-86 by 
John Singer Sargent

A feast of friends

Magazine article by Richard Ormond, 2015

John Singer Sargent: a painter at the vanguard of contemporary movements in music, literature and theatre.

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.

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.

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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.

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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