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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.

Practising the Minuet

'Who was Hilda Spong?'

Broadway star Miss Hilda Spong was painted by Tom Roberts in 1893.

Hilda Spong portrait story
Video: 2 minutes

Video transcript

Narrator: Perhaps you’re wondering who she was. Well, she was Hilda Spong. Miss Hilda Spong. And she was a star.

Perhaps the first Australian to conquer the theatres of London’s West End, and to have Broadway at her feet. The Cate Blanchett of her day, do you think? Or the Nicole Kidman? She had the fame, the fans, the glowing reviews, the scandals, and the love affairs. The portrait remains. Her performances do not.

We perhaps think that she looks quaint and pleasant rather than glamorous and fascinating. Well, tastes change. But in her day, she was Miss Hilda Spong, with love.

Practising the Minuet (Miss Hilda Spong)

1 Practising the Minuet (Miss Hilda Spong), 1893 Tom Roberts.

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Related information

Practising the Minuet (Miss Hilda Spong)

Practising the Minuet (Miss Hilda Spong)

Practising the Minuet (Miss Hilda Spong)

An actress and her fans

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2008

Dr. Sarah Engledow discovers the amazing life of Ms. Hilda Spong, little remembered star of the stage, who was captured in a portrait by Tom Roberts.

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The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance

The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance

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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.

The National Portrait Gallery is an Australian Government Agency