The National Portrait Gallery

The National Portrait Gallery houses portraits of renowned Australians (by birth or association) who are significant in their field of endeavor or whose life distinguishes them as a person of long-term public interest. The collection was founded in May 1998 and was held in Old Parliament House and an adjacent museum on Commonwealth Place until 2008. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd officially launched its purpose-built permanent home on King Edward Terrace in Canberra, next to the High Court of Australia, on December 4, 2008.

The National Portrait Gallery has a series of rooms that extend from the Entrance Court, delineated by two massive cantilever concrete blades on the building's eastern side, via the foyer to the spectacular gallery spaces. Natural light is managed in each gallery via translucent glazed clerestory windows and vistas to the outside. The gallery houses approximately 400 pictures of Australia's most prominent figures, including Howard Arkley's Nick Cave, John Webber's portrait of Captain James Cook, and Barry Humphrey's Self Portrait.

Detailed Information:
Address: King Edward Terrace, Parkes ACT 2600, Australia
Phone Number: +61 2 6102 7000
Website: portrait.gov.au
Open hours: Mon-Sun: 10:00–17:00