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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.

Shining light, 2008 by Rick Carter

Shining light, 2008

by Rick Carter
Image
Music for the Soul, 2006 by Rick Carter

Music for the Soul, 2006

by Rick Carter
Image
image not online

David Carter, London, 2009 by Dave Tacon

David Carter, London, 2009

by Dave Tacon
Image
Jeff Carter with his dog Annie Rose at Foxground NSW
Jeff Carter with his dog Annie Rose at Foxground NSW
Jeff Carter with his dog Annie Rose at Foxground NSW

Jeff Carter with his dog Annie Rose at Foxground NSW, 2000 (printed 2017)

Robert McFarlane
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2017

Robert Carter
Robert Carter
Robert Carter

Robert Carter, c. 1910

William Johnson
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on grey cardboard

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the family of FW Macpherson 2012

Sean Godsell
Sean Godsell
Sean Godsell

Sean Godsell, 2009

Earl Carter
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2010

Mr and Mrs R. T. Carter
Mr and Mrs R. T. Carter
Mr and Mrs R. T. Carter

Mr and Mrs R. T. Carter, c. 1863

Milligan Bros (Studio)
Portrait, ambrotype, hand coloured on glass plate with black paint backing

Gift of Mr and Mrs James Bain 2000. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Elizabeth Carter
Elizabeth Carter
Elizabeth Carter

Elizabeth Carter, c. 1920

Harold Cazneaux
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph, sepia toned on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the family of FW Macpherson 2010

Self portrait
Self portrait
Self portrait

Self portrait, 2005

Rick Amor
Portrait, oil on canvas

Gift of Patrick Corrigan AM 2008. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Self portrait
Self portrait
Self portrait

Self portrait, 1999

Rick Amor
Portrait, drypoint on paper

Gift of the artist 2005. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Portrait of Philip Williams

Observation point

Magazine article by Rick Amor, 2021

While visiting the National Portrait Gallery I noticed the absence of paintings of journalists.

Rick Amor in the mirror, 2008

Times like these

Magazine article by Gavin Fry, 2010

Gavin Fry examines the art and career of the Australian painter Rick Amor.

Rick Carey, WA
Rick Carey, WA
Rick Carey, WA

Rick Carey, WA, 1998 (printed 2004)

John Elliott
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2005

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.

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.

Paul Boston
Paul Boston
Paul Boston

Paul Boston, 1995

Rick Amor
Portrait, oil on canvas

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Rick Amor and Meg Williams 2015
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

Gary Catalano
Gary Catalano
Gary Catalano

Gary Catalano, 1994

Rick Amor
Portrait, pencil on paper

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

Gary Catalano
Gary Catalano
Gary Catalano

Gary Catalano, 1994

Rick Amor
Portrait, pencil and watercolour on yellow paper

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

Portrait of Philip Williams
Portrait of Philip Williams
Portrait of Philip Williams

Portrait of Philip Williams, 2019

Rick Amor
Portrait, oil on canvas

Gift of Rick Amor and Meg Williams in memory of Althea 'Bid' Williams 2020. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Barry Hill
Barry Hill
Barry Hill

Barry Hill, 1993

Rick Amor
Portrait, drypoint and roulette on wove paper

Gift of the artist 2005. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

David Malouf
David Malouf
David Malouf

David Malouf, 1993

Rick Amor
Portrait, etching and drypoint on wove paper

Gift of the artist 2005. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

The crime writer Shane Maloney
The crime writer Shane Maloney
The crime writer Shane Maloney

The crime writer Shane Maloney, 2004

Rick Amor
Portrait, oil on canvas

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2010
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

Michael Kelly
Michael Kelly
Michael Kelly

Michael Kelly, 1998

Rick Amor
Portrait, soft ground etching on paper.

Gift of the artist 2005. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

David Malouf
David Malouf
David Malouf

David Malouf, 2012

Rick Amor
Portrait, oil on canvas

Commissioned with the assistance of funds provided by the Circle of Friends 2012

Alex Miller
Alex Miller
Alex Miller

Alex Miller, 1992

Rick Amor
Portrait, pencil on paper

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

Dorothy Porter
Dorothy Porter
Dorothy Porter

Dorothy Porter, 2001-2002

Rick Amor
Portrait, oil on canvas

Gift of Andrea Goldsmith 2011. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Alex Miller
Alex Miller
Alex Miller

Alex Miller, 1992

Rick Amor
Portrait, pencil on paper

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

Andrew Southall
Andrew Southall
Andrew Southall

Andrew Southall, 1992

Rick Amor
Portrait, drypoint on wove paper

Gift of the artist 2005. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Patrick White
Patrick White
Patrick White

Patrick White, 1990

Rick Amor
Portrait, woodcut on paper

Gift of the artist 2005. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

image not online

Robyn Davidson (Hamelin Pool, Indian Ocean, Western Australia), 1977 (printed 2014)

Rick Smolan
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Purchased 2014

Andrew Southall
Andrew Southall
Andrew Southall

Andrew Southall, 1995

Rick Amor
Portrait, drypoint on wove paper

Gift of the artist 2005. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

John Perceval
John Perceval
John Perceval

John Perceval, 1985

Rick Amor
Portrait, black conte on paper

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

John Perceval
John Perceval
John Perceval

John Perceval, 1985

Rick Amor
Portrait, black conte on paper

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

image not online

Robyn Davidson (near Uluru), 1979 (printed 2014)

Rick Smolan
Portrait, inkjet print (black and white) on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2014

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

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.

image not online

Rolf Harris, 1989

Rick Amor
Portrait, pencil on paper

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

Shane Maloney and Rick Amor

'Big canvas, small head'
Portrait story

Artist Rick Amor and author Shane Maloney relate divergent experiences of the creation of Shane's portrait.

David Malouf

'The person who is the writer'
Portrait story

Australian author David Malouf discusses the creation of his portrait by artist Rick Amor.

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

Two portraits of Manning Clark (seated recto), (head, verso)
Two portraits of Manning Clark (seated recto), (head, verso)
Two portraits of Manning Clark (seated recto), (head, verso)

Two portraits of Manning Clark (seated recto), (head, verso), 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

Professor Peter Doherty
Professor Peter Doherty
Professor Peter Doherty

Professor Peter Doherty, 2001

Rick Amor
Portrait, oil on canvas

Commissioned with funds provided by Marilyn Darling AC 2002

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

Manning Clark
Manning Clark
Manning Clark

Manning Clark, 1990

Rick Amor
Portrait, woodcut on paper

Gift of the artist 2005. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

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

Linda Burney MLA Canturbury and Rick Farley at home, Marrickville
Linda Burney MLA Canturbury and Rick Farley at home, Marrickville
Linda Burney MLA Canturbury and Rick Farley at home, Marrickville

Linda Burney MLA Canturbury and Rick Farley at home, Marrickville, 2003

Juno Gemes
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

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

Professor Peter Doherty

A Meeting of Great Minds

Magazine article by Simon Elliott, 2002

The story behind Rick Amor's portrait of Professor Peter Doherty.

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.

Dorothy Porter

Beautiful bones

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2011

Sarah Engledow reflects on the shared life and writing of Dorothy Porter and Andrea Goldsmith.

Professor Peter Doherty

Rick Amor 21 Portraits

20 November 2014
Archived media releases 2014

Press releases and image downloads for media.

image not online

Image downloads

Rick Amor: 21 Portraits
Rick Amor 21 Portraits

Hi-resolution images for media representatives, password required.

Portrait of Sean Godsell, 2009 by Earl Carter

Sean Godsell Architects

General content

Based in Melbourne, Sean Godsell is known internationally for his distinctive residential architecture.

Portrait 16

June - August 2005
Magazine

This issue of Portrait Magazine features portraits by Rick Amor, colonial charicatures, Les Murray, Peter Porter, Helen Garner and more.

Portrait 35

March - May 2010
Magazine

This issue features suspected poisoner and portrait artist Thomas Wainewright, Rick Amor, Chuck Close, Mick Dodson, Scott Redford, the National Photographic Portrait Prize exhibition and more.

Saltwater Cowboys, 2013 by Tamara Voninski

Saltwater Cowboys, 2013

by Tamara Voninski
Image
Portrait of Johnson Pilton Walker,
Inside the National Portrait Gallery, Canberra,
25 Hours 31 minutes, 22-23 May 2009 by Ingvar Kenne

Portraits + Architecture

Previous exhibition, 2009

This exhibition explores creative process and identity.

David Malouf

David Malouf

In their own words
In their own words

Recorded 2016

Patrick White at Centennial Park, 1979–1980

White Whiteley

The portrait of Patrick White by Brett Whiteley
Previous exhibition, 2012

Eleven works by Brett Whiteley, centred around his scintillating 'Patrick White at Centennial Park 1979-1980'.

Prince William of Wales, by Mario Testino, 2003 publ. September 2003.
Credit: Mario Testino

Vanity Fair Portraits

Photographs 1913-2008
Previous exhibition, 2009

Vanity Fair Portraits traces the birth and evolution of photographic portraiture through the archives of Vanity Fair magazine.

Mia Wasikowska as Robyn Davidson at Hamelin Pool, 2013 by Matt Nettheim

Hump days

Magazine article by Jessica Bolton, 2017

Jessica Bolton navigates the parallel tracks documenting Robyn Davidson’s astonishing journey.

Portait 65

Portrait 65

Autumn/Winter 2021
Magazine

Hugh Ramsay, the fashion of Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson, Peter Wegner's centenarian series, John and Elizabeth Gould's family connections, Karen Quinlan's top five portraits and more.

David Malouf

2012-13 Acquisition Fund

Annual Appeal

The Circle of Friends Acquisition Fund for 2012 was dedicated to purchasing a portrait of David Malouf by Rick Amor.

Professor Peter Doherty

Australia and the Nobel Prize

Previous exhibition, 2003

This unique exhibition will give an insight into the private lives, pursuits and work of all the Nobel laureates associated with Australia

Self Portrait (Textanude) by Arlene TextaQueen

Animated

Self Portraits Online
Previous exhibition, 2008

Animated is the National Portrait Gallery's first online exhibition.

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.

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Dr Sarah Engledow

Biography

Dr Sarah Engledow was appointed Historian at the National Portrait Gallery in 1999.

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.

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.

Reg Richardson AM

Grow the Portrait Gallery of Australia

9 June 2016
Archived media releases 2016

The Portrait Gallery is calling for contributions to support in the acquisition of superb portraits for the national collection.

William Francis King, 'The Flying Pieman'
William Francis King, 'The Flying Pieman'
William Francis King, 'The Flying Pieman'

William Francis King, 'The Flying Pieman', c. 1869

John Davis
Portrait, albumen paper carte de visite

Gift of the family of FW Macpherson 2010

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.

Tim Winton

2020 Annual Appeal

Annual Appeal

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

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.

David Williamson

The Story So Far...

Magazine article by Simon Elliott, 2002

A reflection on the National Portrait Gallery's first four years.

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.

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.

Mick Jagger, Madonna and Tony Curtis, 1997

The Vanity model

Magazine article by David Friend, 2009

Vanity Fair Editor David Friend describes how the rebirth of the magazine sated our desire for access into the lives of celebrities and set the standard for the new era of portrait photography.

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

Portrait of Henry Vernon Crock AO

Private practice

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2008
David Smith portrayed Dr Henry Crock without the accoutrements of an orthopaedic surgeon, adding to the National Portrait Gallery's collection of eminent Australian medical practitioners.
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.

Portrait of Troppo Architects, 2009

Thinking about architecture and portraiture

Magazine article by Dr Christopher Chapman, 2009

Dr Christopher Chapman describes the experimental exhibition Portraits + Architecture

James Baldwin, writer, Harlem, New York 1945 by Richard Avedon

The Avedon effect

Magazine article by Dr Christopher Chapman, 2013

Dr Christopher Chapman explores how we can understand Richard Avedon's photographs.  

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.

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.

image not online

Portrait Donors

Listed by year
Honour board
Self-portrait in black jumper, 2017 Graeme Drendel

Be frank

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2020

Close encounters are the genesis for Graeme Drendel’s enticing portraiture.

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.

image not online

Annual Appeal

Listed by year
Honour board
Self-portrait, 1973 by Noel Counihan

Of jumpers and river gums, red

Magazine article by Diana O'Neil, 2016

Diana O’Neil on Noel Counihan’s vivid 1971 portrait of Alan Marshall.

Dr Alison Inglis, AM, 2023 Dena Kahan

School portraits

About Face article

Inga Walton sheds light on a portraiture collection usually only seen by students and teachers at Melbourne University.

Peter Wilmoth, age 12, with copies of Our World 1974 Courtesy of the author

Paper, boy

Magazine article by Peter Wilmoth, 2016

Peter Wilmoth’s boy-journalist toolkit for antagonising an Australian political giant.

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.

Sir Macfarlane Burnet

Picture this...

Magazine article by Andrew Sayers AM, 2003

This edited version of a speech by Andrew Sayers examines some of the antecedents of the National Portrait Gallery and set out the ideas behind the modern Gallery and its collection.

The Bare story

General content

Curator, Penny Grist, reveals how this exhibition came to be

Self portrait

Profile of a marriage

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2006

Dr Sarah Engledow explores the lives of Sir George Grey and his wife Eliza, the subjects of a pair of wax medallions in the National Portrait Gallery's collection.

Portrait of Captain James Cook RN

Unbuttoning uniforms

Magazine article by Sharon Peoples, 2017

Sharon Peoples contemplates costumes and the construction of identity.

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.

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.

Helen Borthwick née Pearson

The personal and the historical

About Face article

Where do we draw a line between the personal and the historical? Although she died in Melbourne in 1975, when I was not quite eleven years old, I have the vividest memories of my maternal grandmother Helen Borthwick.

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.

Forest Creek, Mount Alexander Diggings, 1852 by S. T. Gill

The Rothschilds, the Montefiores, and the Victorian Gold Rush

About Face article

Some years ago my colleague Andrea Wolk Rager and I spent several days in the darkened basement of a Rothschild Bank, inspecting every one of the nearly 700 autochromes created immediately before World War I by the youthful Lionel de Rothschild.

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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.

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