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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.

Sisters or Friends, 2022 Emma Armstrong-Porter

Sisters or Friends

Emma Armstrong-Porter
Image
The Australian Tom Thumb (John David Armstrong)
The Australian Tom Thumb (John David Armstrong)
The Australian Tom Thumb (John David Armstrong)

The Australian Tom Thumb (John David Armstrong), c. 1880

J D. Cooper
Portrait, carte de visite photograph

Purchased 2014

Gillian Armstrong
Gillian Armstrong
Gillian Armstrong

Gillian Armstrong, 1985

Stuart Campbell
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the Estate of Stuart Campbell 2012

Gillian Armstrong AM
Gillian Armstrong AM
Gillian Armstrong AM

Gillian Armstrong AM, 1973

Gordon Glenn
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2003

Bruce Armstrong
Bruce Armstrong
Bruce Armstrong

Bruce Armstrong, 2001

Greg Weight
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

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

The Australian Tom Thumb (John David Armstrong)
The Australian Tom Thumb (John David Armstrong)
The Australian Tom Thumb (John David Armstrong)

The Australian Tom Thumb (John David Armstrong), c. 1880

Sarony & Co
Portrait, carte de visite photograph

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2014

Peter Carey in Kelly country
Peter Carey in Kelly country
Peter Carey in Kelly country

Peter Carey in Kelly country, 2000

Bruce Armstrong
Portrait, synthetic polymer paint on board

Purchased with funds provided by the Basil Bressler Bequest 2001

Ring Master, 2013 by Jennifer Voudiotis

Ring Master, 2013

by Jennifer Voudiotis
Image
Free Range Cousins, 2015 by Jennifer Stocks

Free Range Cousins, 2015

by Jennifer Stocks
Image
Anne-Louise Lambert as Miranda Courtesy Picnic Productions

Rock star

Magazine article by Jennifer Coombes, 2018

Jennifer Coombes explores the lush images of Picnic at Hanging Rock, featuring Anne-Louise Lambert’s Miranda, the face of the film. 

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.

Self portrait, 1980 
Alice Neel

Hard truths

Magazine article by Jennifer Higgie, 2022

Jennifer Higgie reveals how Alice Neel reinvigorated 20th century portraiture with her honest and perceptive depictions of the human experience.

Forget me not, 2020 Jennifer Blau

Forget me not

Jennifer Blau
Image
Ruby (left view), 2022 Shea Kirk

Ruby (left view)

Shea Kirk
Image
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.

Margaret Fink
Margaret Fink
Margaret Fink

Margaret Fink, 1975

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

Margaret Fink
Margaret Fink
Margaret Fink

Margaret Fink, 1989

Kerrie Lester
Portrait, oil and hand-stitching with diamantes on canvas

Gift of the artist 1999. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Portrait 66

Portrait 66

Summer 2021/22
Magazine

The Huxleys, National Portrait Gallery London’s masterpieces, Jennifer Higgie on portraits of women by women, Tamara Dean, Bangarra, Glynis Jones on fashion photographers, and NPG/NGV collaboration.

Portrait 68

Summer 2022/23
Magazine

Rebecca Ray on Robert Fielding’s Mayatjara series, Jennifer Higgie on Alice Neel, Elspeth Pitt chats with Yvette Coppersmith, Vincent Fantauzzo on virtual sittings with Hugh Jackman and more.

Nine square images of previous winners of the National Photographic Portrait Prize

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2024

Upcoming exhibition

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.

Darling Portrait Prize 2024

Upcoming exhibition

The Darling Portrait Prize is a biennial national prize for Australian portrait painting honouring the legacy of Mr L Gordon Darling AC CMG (1921-2015). The winner receives a cash prize of $75,000.

Anne Lambert, actor by Stuart Campbell

Between Light and Shadow

Portraits by Stuart Campbell
Previous exhibition, 2011

The late Australian photographer Stuart Campbell produced superb photographs of Australian actors of stage and screen.

Reg Lindsay, Scone, NSW
Reg Lindsay, Scone, NSW
Reg Lindsay, Scone, NSW

Reg Lindsay, Scone, NSW, 2004

John Elliott
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2005

Portrait 59

Autumn 2018
Magazine

NPG Washington director Kim Sajet on the Obama portraits, Sarah Ball’s Immigrants, judging the NPPP, Frances Hodgkins, and Picnic at Hanging Rock.

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.

Terry Snow and China
Terry Snow and China
Terry Snow and China

Terry Snow and China, 2017

Jude Rae
Portrait, oil on canvas

Commissioned with funds provided by Dr Justin Garrick and Ms Dharini Ganesan Rasu, Mr Dino Nikias & Mrs Dimitra Nikias, Mr Jim Windeyer, Ms Claudia Hyles, Mrs Sotiria Liangis OAM and Mr John Liangis, Justice Mary Finn, Mr Bill Farmer AO and Mrs Elaine Farmer, Mr Tim Efkarpidis, Mr Bob Nattey and Mrs Charlotte Nattey, Ms Jennifer Bott AO, Mr Keith Bradley, Dr Sam Whittle and Mrs Heather Whittle 2017

Ruby (left view), 2022 Shea Kirk

The 2023 National Photographic Portrait Prize

16 June 2023
Media

Shea Kirk’s portrait of friend and fellow-artist Emma Armstrong-Porter has won the 2023 National Photographic Portrait Prize.

image not online

Claudia Karvan on the set of Love My Way,

Jimmy Pozarik OAM
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2007

Chris Wallace-Crabbe
Chris Wallace-Crabbe
Chris Wallace-Crabbe

Chris Wallace-Crabbe, 2011

Kristin Headlam
Portrait, oil on linen

Purchased with the assistance of funds provided by the Circle of Friends 2014

image not online

Annual Appeal

Listed by year
Honour board
Madame Melba
Madame Melba
Madame Melba

Madame Melba, 1922

Harold Cazneaux
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Purchased 2015

Field Marshal the Lord Birdwood

Centenary of ANZAC

About Face article

Just now we pause to mark the centenary of ANZAC, the day when, together with British, other imperial and allied forces, the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landed at Gallipoli at the start of the ill-starred Dardanelles campaign.

Judy Davis on the set of 'Heatwave', Sydney
Judy Davis on the set of 'Heatwave', Sydney
Judy Davis on the set of 'Heatwave', Sydney

Judy Davis on the set of 'Heatwave', Sydney, 1981 (printed 2000)

David Moore
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
The series 'David Moore: From Face to Face' was acquired as a gift of the artist and with financial assistance from Timothy Fairfax AC and L Gordon Darling AC CMG 2001

Hugo Weaving as Horatio Farrat by Ben King Film: The Dressmaker, 2015

If you love movies, you’ll love Starstruck!

8 August 2017
Archived media releases 2017

In an unprecedented partnership, the National Portrait Gallery and National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA) present a new star-studded exhibition, Starstruck: Australian Movie Portraits.

Judy Davis
Judy Davis
Judy Davis

Judy Davis, 1981

William Yang
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Purchased 1998

National Portrait Gallery becomes statutory authority

1 July 2013
Archived media releases 2013

On 1 July 2013 the National Portrait Gallery began operating as a statutory authority.

Sir Macfarlane Burnet

Nobel and his prize

Magazine article by Jennifer Gason, 2003

To complement the exhibition Australians and the Nobel Prize, Jennifer Gason gives us a sense of the proceedings that occur during the award ceremony.

Dame Nellie Melba
Dame Nellie Melba
Dame Nellie Melba

Dame Nellie Melba,

an unknown artist
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on cabinet card

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2007

Richard Tognetti
Richard Tognetti
Richard Tognetti

Richard Tognetti, n.d.

Stuart Campbell
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the Estate of Stuart Campbell 2012

Bryan Brown
Bryan Brown
Bryan Brown

Bryan Brown, 2008

Adam Knott
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2013

Paul Grabowsky
Paul Grabowsky
Paul Grabowsky

Paul Grabowsky, 2009

Martin Philbey
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Commissioned with funds provided by Patrick Corrigan AM 2009

Paul Grabowsky
Paul Grabowsky
Paul Grabowsky

Paul Grabowsky, 2009

Martin Philbey
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Commissioned with funds provided by Patrick Corrigan AM 2009

image not online

Mr Sidney Myer AM appointed inaugural President of the National Portrait Gallery’s Foundation

12 March 2015
Archived media releases 2015

Dr Helen Nugent AO, Chairman, National Portrait Gallery Board announced today the appointment of Mr Sidney Myer AM as the inaugural President of the newly established National Portrait Gallery Foundation.

image not online

Supporters

$5,000 - $9,999
Honour board
Angus Trumble National Portrait Gallery Director

National Portrait Gallery Director announced

20 December 2013
Archived media releases 2013

The National Portrait Gallery welcomes Angus Trumble

Graeme Murphy
Graeme Murphy
Graeme Murphy

Graeme Murphy, n.d.

Stuart Campbell
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Gift of the Estate of Stuart Campbell 2012

Self Portrait, Stuart Campbell by Stuart Campbell

The essence of you

Magazine article by Lee Tulloch, 2011

Lee Tulloch remembers her great friend NIDA-trained actor turned photographer Stuart Campbell.

Lewis Morley

Myself and Eye

Magazine article by Magda Keaney, 2003

Magda Keaney speaks with Lewis Morley about his photographic career and the major retrospective of his work on display at the NPG.

Nellie Melba
Nellie Melba
Nellie Melba

Nellie Melba, 1898

Ernest Walter Histed
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2010

Toni Collette as Muriel trying on a wedding dress by Robert McFarlane, Muriel’s Wedding, 1994

Starstruck: Australian Movie Portraits opens

9 November 2017
Archived media releases 2017

Visitors will be left in awe with the National Portrait Gallery and National Film and Sound Archive of Australia’s (NFSA) new star-studded exhibition, Starstruck: Australian Movie Portraits

Ruby (left view), 2022 Shea Kirk

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2023

Previous exhibition, 2023

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.

Richard Tognetti #1510

Richard Tognetti #1510, 2018

by Louise Hearman
General content

Commissioned with funds provided by Peter Weiss AO 2018

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.

Lottie Lyell as Doreen by Monte Luke

Their brilliant careers

Magazine article by Jenny Gall, 2017

Jenny Gall delves into Starstruck to celebrate some of Australian cinema’s iconic women.

Paul Grabowsky

Feel the music

Magazine article by Dr Christopher Chapman, 2010

Dr Christopher Chapman discusses the portrait of Australian composer Paul Grabowsky by photographer Martin Philbey.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Don Hany

In character on location

Magazine article by Alistair McGhie, 2011

A photograph of Claudia Karvan that blends actor, character, photographer and captures the creative collaboration of the television series Love my way

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Portrait Donors

Listed by year
Honour board
Cadel Evans

Winning in technicolor

Magazine article by Alistair McGhie, 2009

Alistair McGhie writes about the portraits of three of Australia's top professional cyclists: Cadel Evans, Stuart O'Grady and Robbie McEwen painted by Matthys Gerber.

Judy Davis and Sam Neill in ‘My Brilliant Career’, 1979 David Kynoch

Moving still

Magazine article by Anne O'Hehir, 2022

Anne O’Hehir on the seductive power of the film still to reflect and shape ourselves and our cultural landscape.

Untitled, Conductors, Tramways series, 1990 © Matt Nettheim

Back track

About Face article

Penelope Grist finds photographer Matt Nettheim re-visiting a formative and fulfilling career tram stop.

Facing Australia, Composite portrait: Facing St Lucia, 2003

Conflicting images

Magazine article by Michael Desmond, 2008

Michael Desmond reveals the origins of composite portraits and their evolution in the pursuit of the ideal.

Vanity Fair, April, 2004

International issue

Magazine article by Michael Desmond, 2009

Michael Desmond looks at the history of the Vanity Fair magazine in conjunction with the exhibition Vanity Fair Portraits: Photographs 1913-2008

Charles Haddon Chambers

Suave

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2010

Charles Haddon Chambers the Australian-born playboy playwright settled permanently in London in 1880 but never lost his Australian stance when satirising the English.

Nicole Kidman

Australians in Hollywood

Magazine article by Simon Elliott, 2003

The exhibition Australians in Hollywood celebrated the achievements of Australians in the highly competitive American film industry.

Dame Mary Gilmore

Painting writing

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2007

Dr Sarah Engledow explores the portraits of writers held in the National Portrait Gallery's collection.

Portrait sketch of Nellie Melba

Doodles of the Diva

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2010

Three tiny sketches of Dame Nellie Melba in the NPG collection were created by the artist who was to go on to paint the most imposing representation of the singer: Rupert Bunny.

NPPP finalists

20 20

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2017

Sarah Engledow picks some favourites from a decade of the National Photographic Portrait Prize.

Portrait of Captain James Cook RN

Unbuttoning uniforms

Magazine article by Sharon Peoples, 2017

Sharon Peoples contemplates costumes and the construction of identity.

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).

Life Dancers, 2015 by Elizabeth Looker

NPPP 2016 exhibition essay

General content

Penny Grist, National Photographic Portrait Prize judge and curator, introduces the 2016 Prize.

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.

The Art Lovers - Megan, 2013 by Gary Grealy

Everybody, look serious

NPPP 2014 exhibition essay
General content

Dr Sarah Engledow, National Photographic Portrait Prize judge and curator, introduces the 2014 Prize.

© National Portrait Gallery 2024
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Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia

Phone +61 2 6102 7000
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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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