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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.

Betty Bryant, c. 1939

The life of Bryant

Magazine article by Tenille Hands, 2018

Tenille Hands explores a portrait prize gifted to the National Screen and Sound Archive.

Julie Mostyn, Flaming Hands, The Cronulla Workers' Club, Sydney, c. 1981 Stuart Spence

Julie Mostyn, Flaming Hands, The Cronulla Workers' Club, Sydney, c. 1981

Stuart Spence
Image
Nyangatja Ngayuku Mara (These are my hands), 2023 Rhett Hammerton

Nyangatja Ngayuku Mara (These are my hands)

Rhett Hammerton
Image
Dame Mabel Brookes

The hands have it

Magazine article by Angus Trumble, 2016

Angus Trumble treats the gallery’s collection with a dab hand.

David Gulpilil's Hands
David Gulpilil's Hands
David Gulpilil's Hands

David Gulpilil's Hands, 2004

Ross Honeysett
Portrait, photographic print from film on paper

Gift of the artist 2021

Portrait of Captain James Cook RN

The hand of Captain Cook

Google Arts and Culture
Learning resources

Take a close look at a portrait with a hidden message in its hands. For Year 7 – 9 students.

The Mask of Barry Humphries
The Mask of Barry Humphries
The Mask of Barry Humphries

The Mask of Barry Humphries, c. 1972

Sir William Dargie CBE
Portrait, oil on composition board

Gift of Marlene McCarthy 2006. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Sixteen, 2010 by Janet Tavener

Sixteen, 2010

by Janet Tavener
Image
Marcia Langton

Brook Andrew

In their own words
In their own words

Recorded 2011

The night watcher, 2015 by Annette Ruzicka

The night watcher, 2015

by Annette Ruzicka
Image
The gift, 2010 by Charlotte Julien

The gift, 2010

by Charlotte Julien
Image
My Olivia, 2017 by Filomena Rizzo

My Olivia, 2017

by Filomena Rizzo
Image
Jenny Sages - artist, 2012 by Gary Grealy

Jenny Sages - artist, 2012

by Gary Grealy
Image
1967, 2019 Dave Laslett

1967, 2019

Dave Laslett
Image

Behind your eyes, between your ears

Brainwave interactive artwork by George Khut
Previous exhibition, 2016

As the subject changes the quality of their attention and mental focus, the portrait transforms, both appearance and sound.

Self-portrait with flowers (presumed native), 2015 by Liam James

Self-portrait with flowers (presumed native), 2015

by Liam James
Image
© National Portrait Gallery 2024
King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia

Phone +61 2 6102 7000
ABN: 54 74 277 1196

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