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A detail from Joshua Reynolds’ ‘Portrait of Omai,’ which was painted in 1776. Wikimedia Commons

October 12, 2026

Americans can now see a famous portrait of the Pacific Islander who captivated 18th‑century England for the first time

Saar Shahar, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

Joshua Reynolds’ 1776 ‘Portrait of Omai’ portrays a commoner from Tahiti as a nobleman, reflecting European fantasies and assumptions about Pacific cultures.

Judie Bambe by Catherine Opie (1993). David Parry

March 11, 2026

Catherine Opie: To Be Seen at The National Portrait Gallery – a reminder of why we go to exhibitions in the first place

Alice Mercier, University of Westminster

In Opie’s photographs, the constraints and limitations of the portrait are part of its potential.

Carol Jerrems, ½ length self portrait in mirror, wearing pyjama shirt, camera at shoulder height, 1979. National Library of Australia Manuscript collection (MS 10718). © The Estate of Carol Jerrems

January 22, 2025

Carol Jerrems captured Melbourne and Sydney of the 1970s, understanding photography as a collaboration

Jane Simon, Macquarie University

Carol Jerrems worked primarily with black and white photography until her early death in 1980. Over 140 of her photographs are currently on display at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra.

Bacon’s Three Studies for Portrait of Isabel Rawsthorne (1965) on show at the National Portrait Gallery. David Parry

January 9, 2025

Francis Bacon: Human Presence – a compelling look at how the artist redefined portraiture

Rina Arya, University of Hull

Come too close to Bacon’s portraits and everything dissolves into a powdery splat.

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