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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.

Portraits for Posterity

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.

More information on Portraits for Posterity

Selected images

102 images
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Portrait of Professor Graeme Clark
Portrait of Professor Graeme Clark, 2000 Peter Wegner. © Peter Wegner
Dame Joan Sutherland
Dame Joan Sutherland, c. 1977 Robert Hannaford AM. © Robert Hannaford/Copyright Agency, 2024
Sir George Coles
Sir George Coles, 1935 W B McInnes
Joan Croll
Joan Croll, 1976 John Brack. © Helen Brack
Edward Knox
Edward Knox, c. 1927-1929 W B McInnes
Lady Knox
Lady Knox, c. 1927-1929 W B McInnes
Colin McCahon, Auckland, New Zealand
Colin McCahon, Auckland, New Zealand, 1963 (printed 2000) David Moore. © Lisa, Michael, Matthew and Joshua Moore
http://davidmoorephotography.com.au/
Judy Davis on the set of 'Heatwave', Sydney
Judy Davis on the set of 'Heatwave', Sydney, 1981 (printed 2000) David Moore. © Lisa, Michael, Matthew and Joshua Moore
http://davidmoorephotography.com.au/
Sidney Nolan, Western Australia
Sidney Nolan, Western Australia, 1962 (printed 2000) David Moore. © Lisa, Michael, Matthew and Joshua Moore
http://davidmoorephotography.com.au/
Ed Murrow, New York
Ed Murrow, New York, 1956 (printed 2000) David Moore. © Lisa, Michael, Matthew and Joshua Moore
http://davidmoorephotography.com.au/
David Gulpilil, Arnhem Land
David Gulpilil, Arnhem Land, 1981 (printed 2000) David Moore. © Lisa, Michael, Matthew and Joshua Moore
http://davidmoorephotography.com.au/
Portrait of Captain James Cook RN
Portrait of Captain James Cook RN, 1782 John Webber
Dr Peter Farrell
Dr Peter Farrell, 2001 Salvatore Zofrea OAM. © Salvatore Zofrea/Copyright Agency, 2024
Hélène Kirsova in Petrouchka
Hélène Kirsova in Petrouchka, 1936-1937 Max Dupain OBE
Russell Drysdale
Russell Drysdale, 1960 Max Dupain OBE. © Max Dupain/Copyright Agency, 2024
Kumantjayi Perkins at the Roma Forum, Brisbane
Kumantjayi Perkins at the Roma Forum, Brisbane, 1982 Juno Gemes. © Juno Gemes/Copyright Agency, 2024
Chicka Dixon
Chicka Dixon, 1980 Juno Gemes. © Juno Gemes/Copyright Agency, 2024
Mum Shirl (Mrs Shirley Smith)
Mum Shirl (Mrs Shirley Smith), 1988 Juno Gemes. © Juno Gemes/Copyright Agency, 2024
Sir James Hardy
Sir James Hardy, c. 1975 (printed 2002) Lewis Morley. © Lewis Morley Archive LLC
Babette Hayes, London
Babette Hayes, London, early 1960s Lewis Morley. © Lewis Morley Archive LLC
Ilsa Konrads
Ilsa Konrads, c. 1976 (printed 2002) Lewis Morley. © Lewis Morley Archive LLC
Florence Broadhurst
Florence Broadhurst, 1975 Lewis Morley. © Lewis Morley Archive LLC
Portrait bust of Dr Christine Rivett
Portrait bust of Dr Christine Rivett, c. 1950 (cast 1955-1956) Daphne Mayo MBE. © Estate of Daphne Mayo
Graeme Murphy
Graeme Murphy, 1977 (printed 2002) Lewis Morley. © Lewis Morley Archive LLC
Patrick Johnson
Patrick Johnson, c. 2000 Penny Tweedie. © Estate of Penny Tweedie
Kerrie Lester
Kerrie Lester, 1990 Anne Zahalka. © Anne Zahalka/Copyright Agency, 2024
Susan Norrie
Susan Norrie, 1990 Anne Zahalka. © Anne Zahalka/Copyright Agency, 2024
Stanley Bruce
Stanley Bruce, 1937 Barbara Tribe. © Estate of Barbara Tribe
Akira Isogawa
Akira Isogawa, 2001 Peter Brew-Bevan. © Peter Brew-Bevan
Sir Edward Holden
Sir Edward Holden, 1945 Leslie Bowles
Naomi Watts
Naomi Watts, 2003 Peter Brew-Bevan. © Peter Brew-Bevan courtesy of Sue Southam Management
Marea Gazzard
Marea Gazzard, 1966 Judy Cassab AO CBE. © Judy Cassab/Copyright Agency, 2025
Mungo MacCallum
Mungo MacCallum, 1968 Judy Cassab AO CBE. © Judy Cassab/Copyright Agency, 2025
Vali Myers
Vali Myers, 2001 Eva Collins. © Eva Collins
Self portrait
Self portrait, late 1930s Sir William Dargie CBE. © Roger Dargie and Faye Dargie
Sir Arvi Parbo
Sir Arvi Parbo, 1993 Sir William Dargie CBE. © Roger Dargie and Faye Dargie
Essington Lewis
Essington Lewis, 1952 Sir William Dargie CBE. © Roger Dargie and Faye Dargie
Self portrait
Self portrait, between 1951 and 1953 Janet Dawson. © Janet Dawson/Copyright Agency, 2024
Tommy, Broken Bay tribe
Tommy, Broken Bay tribe, 1836 William Fernyhough
Bill Worrall, Five Islands tribe
Bill Worrall, Five Islands tribe, 1836 William Fernyhough
Punch, wife of Cullabaa, Broken Bay tribe
Punch, wife of Cullabaa, Broken Bay tribe, 1836 William Fernyhough
Jemmy, Newcastle tribe
Jemmy, Newcastle tribe, 1836 William Fernyhough
Mary, Botany Bay tribe
Mary, Botany Bay tribe, 1836 William Fernyhough
Mickie, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle tribe
Mickie, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle tribe, 1836 William Fernyhough
Cullabaa, native of Lake George, Five Islands tribe
Cullabaa, native of Lake George, Five Islands tribe, 1836 William Fernyhough
Bungaree, late chief of the Broken Bay tribe, Sydney
Bungaree, late chief of the Broken Bay tribe, Sydney, 1836 William Fernyhough
Boardman, Lake Macquarie tribe
Boardman, Lake Macquarie tribe, 1836 William Fernyhough
Gooseberry, widow of King Bungaree
Gooseberry, widow of King Bungaree, 1836 William Fernyhough