Alex PRAGER<br/> <em>Crowd #11 (Cedar and Broad Street)</em> (2013) <!-- (recto) --><br /> inkjet print<br /> (149.7 x 142.0 cm) (image and sheet)<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Bowness Family Fund for Contemporary Photography, 2014<br /> 2014.106<br /> © Alex Prager. Courtesy Alex Prager Studio and Lehmann Maupin, New York, Hong Kong, Seoul and London <!--111728-->
Collection

Photography

In 1967, the NGV became the first Australian art gallery to have a specialist curatorial photography department.

Beginning with early photographic experiments from the 1840s, the NGV’s Photography collection features early daguerreotypes and studio portraiture, landscape and urban scenes, Surrealist photography, documentary and journalistic photography of the twentieth century, and early and recent digital photography.

By spanning the entire history of the medium, the collection presents the dynamic story of this swiftly evolving form of art making and documentation, a medium uniquely tied to technological and scientific innovation.

Photography contacts

Natasha Bullock
Senior Curator, Photography

Maggie Finch
Curator, Photography

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Current and Upcoming Exhibitions

NGV International

Triennial 2026

13 Dec 26 – 11 Apr 27, free entry
NGV Australia

Passage

The Art of Atong Atem 30 Oct 26 – 14 Jun 27, free entry
NGV Australia

Plant Life

The Nature of Design 28 Aug 26 – 7 Feb 27, free entry
NGV International

International Art

From the NGV Collection Ongoing, free entry
Past ExhibitionsSee all

Collection Highlights

Hoda AFSHAR<br/> <em>Untitled #4</em> (2015); (2017) {printed} <!-- (recto) --><br /> from the <i>Behold</i> series 2015<br /> inkjet print<br /> 95.5 x 120.0 cm (image) 127.1 x 142.8 cm (sheet)<br /> ed. 2/5<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Purchased, Victorian Foundation for Living Australian Artists, 2018<br /> 2018.37<br /> © Hoda Afshar. Image courtesy of the artist and Milani Gallery, Meeanjin/Brisbane <!--132445--> Hoda AFSHAR
Untitled #4
 (2015); printed (2017)
from the Behold series 2015 Brook ANDREW<br/> <em>Sexy and dangerous</em> 1996; 2005 {printed} <!-- (recto) --><br /> computer-generated colour transparency on transparent synthetic polymer resin<br /> 145.9 x 96.0 cm (image and sheet)<br /> artist's proof 1/2<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Purchased with funds from the Victorian Foundation for Living Australian Artists, 2005<br /> 2005.166<br /> © Brook Andrew/Copyright Agency, 2023 <!--77516--> Brook ANDREW
Sexy and dangerous
 1996; printed 2005 Atong ATEM<br/> <em>Ego 1</em> (2019) <!-- (recto) --><br /> inkjet print<br /> (60.0 x 90.0 cm)<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Purchased, Victoria Foundation for Living Australian Artists, 2022<br /> 2022.1554<br /> © Atong Atem, courtesy Mars Gallery, Melbourne <!--150207--> Atong ATEM
Ego 1
 (2019) Pat BRASSINGTON<br/> <em>Starlight</em> (2001) <!-- (recto) --><br /> from the <i>Gentle</i> series 2001<br /> digital colour print<br /> 43.4 x 63.1 cm (image) 78.1 x 127.1 cm (sheet)<br /> ed. 1/4<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Purchased with funds arranged by Loti Smorgon for Contemporary Australian Photography, 2001<br /> 2001.164<br /> © Pat Brassington. Represented by Arc One Gallery, Melbourne and Bett Gallery, Hobart <!--68721--> Pat BRASSINGTON
Starlight
 (2001)
from the Gentle series 2001 Girma BERTA<br/> <em>Untitled IV</em> (2017) <!-- (recto) --><br /> from the <i>Moving shadows</i> series 2017<br /> inkjet print<br /> 89.8 x 90.0 cm (image) 99.8 x 100.0 cm (sheet)<br /> ed. 4/4<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Bowness Family Fund for Photography, 2018<br /> 2018.1359<br /> © Girma Berta <!--137519--> Girma BERTA
Untitled IV
 (2017)
from the Moving shadows series 2017 Henri CARTIER-BRESSON<br/> <em>Simiane-la-Rotonde, France</em> (1969) <!-- (recto) --><br /> gelatin silver photograph<br /> (24.1 x 35.5 cm) (image) (30.4 x 40.6 cm) (sheet)<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Gift of Krystyna Campbell-Pretty AM and Family through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program, 2021<br /> 2021.544<br /> © Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson/Magnum Photos <!--146913--> Henri CARTIER-BRESSON
Simiane-la-Rotonde, France
 (1969) Olive COTTON<br/> <em>Girl with mirror</em> 1938 <!-- (recto) --><br /> gelatin silver photograph<br /> 31.8 x 29.9 cm (image)<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Purchased from Admission Funds, 1992<br /> PH201-1992<br /> © The estate of Olive Cotton <!--13124--> Olive COTTON
Girl with mirror
 1938 Nici Cumpston<br/> <em>Nookamka - Lake Bonney</em> 2007 <!-- (recto) --><br /> watercolour and pencil on inkjet print on canvas<br /> 74.2 x 203.0 cm<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Purchased, Victorian Foundation for Living Australian Artists, 2008<br /> 2008.7<br /> © Nici Cumpston <!--86141--> Nici Cumpston
Nookamka - Lake Bonney
 2007 Imogen CUNNINGHAM<br/> <em>The unmade bed</em> (1957) <!-- (recto) --><br /> gelatin silver photograph<br /> 24.7 x 32.6 cm (image and sheet)<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Gift of Krystyna Campbell-Pretty AM and Family through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program, 2023<br /> 2023.10<br /> © 2023 Imogen Cunningham Trust / www.ImogenCunningham.com <!--149166--> Imogen CUNNINGHAM
The unmade bed
 (1957) Destiny Deacon<br/> <em>Dolly Eyes (1-8)</em> 2020 <!-- (recto) --><br /> lightjet photograph<br /> 23.5 x 39.0 cm each<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Purchased, Victorian Foundation for Living Australian Artists, 2021<br /> 2021.178<br /> © Estate of Destiny Deacon/ Licensed by Copyright Agency, Australia <!--146116--> Destiny Deacon
Dolly Eyes (1-8)
 2020 Max DUPAIN<br/> <em>Impassioned clay</em> 1936 <!-- (recto) --><br /> gelatin silver photograph<br /> 50.4 x 36.7 cm irreg. (image) 50.4 x 40.5 cm (sheet)<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> William Kimpton Bequest, 2016<br /> 2016.396<br /> <!--121959--> Max DUPAIN
Impassioned clay
 1936 Nan GOLDIN<br/> <em>Cookie at the restaurant, Positano</em> (1986) <!-- (recto) --><br /> cibachrome photograph<br /> 40.0 x 59.5 cm (image and sheet)<br /> artist's proof 1<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Purchased NGV Foundation, 2022<br /> 2022.18<br /> © Nan Goldin, courtesy Matthew Marks Gallery <!--148269--> Nan GOLDIN
Cookie at the restaurant, Positano
 (1986) Bill HENSON<br/> <em>Untitled 2009/10</em> 2009-2010 <!-- (recto) --><br /> inkjet print<br /> 102.1 x 152.0 cm (image) 126.5 x 177.6 cm (printed image border) 127.0 x 184.5 cm (sheet)<br /> ed. 2/5<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Purchased, Victorian Foundation for Living Australian Artists, 2012<br /> 2012.9<br /> © Bill Henson Copyright (C) reserved <!--102094--> Bill HENSON
Untitled 2009/10
 2009-2010 Douglas T. KILBURN<br/> <em>No title (Group of Koori men)</em> (c. 1847) <!-- (recto) --><br /> daguerreotype, leather, wood, velvet, brass<br /> (7.5 x 6.5 cm) (image) 9.2 x 7.9 x 1.7 cm (case) (closed)<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Purchased from Admission Funds, 1983<br /> PH407-1983<br /> <!--10001--> Douglas T. KILBURN
No title (Group of Koori men)
 (c. 1847) Candida HÖFER<br/> <em>Teylers Museum Haarlem II</em> (2003) <!-- (recto) --><br /> type C photograph<br /> 150.0 x 120.0 cm (image)<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Purchased, 2004<br /> 2004.778<br /> © Candida Höfer. VG Bild-Kunst/Copyright Agency, 2023 <!--76690--> Candida HÖFER
Teylers Museum Haarlem II
 (2003) Frank HURLEY<br/> <em>No title (A turreted berg)</em> (1913) <!-- (recto) --><br /> carbon print<br /> 43.4 x 59.4 cm (image and sheet)<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Purchased, 1999<br /> 2001.46<br /> <!--66685--> Frank HURLEY
No title (A turreted berg)
 (1913) Rosemary LAING<br/> <em>groundspeed (red piazza) #2</em> 2001 <!-- (recto) --><br /> type C photograph<br /> 110.8 x 205.1 cm (image) 125.9 x 225.2 cm (sheet)<br /> ed. 11/15<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Purchased with funds from the Victorian Foundation for Living Australian Artists, 2004<br /> 2004.620<br /> © Estate of Rosemary Laing <!--76978--> Rosemary LAING
groundspeed (red piazza) #2
 2001 YEE I-Lann<br/> <em>Huminodun</em> 2007 <!-- (recto) --><br /> from the <i>Kinabalu</i> series 2007<br /> colour digital print<br /> 105.9 x 204.1 cm (image) (107.6 x 205.4 cm) (sheet)<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Purchased, NGV Foundation, 2008<br /> 2008.369<br /> © Yee I-Lann <!--86991--> YEE I-Lann
Huminodun
 2007
from the Kinabalu series 2007 Zanele MUHOLI<br/> <em>Ntozkhe II (Parktown)</em> (2016) <!-- (recto) --><br /> from the <i>Somnyama Ngonyama</i> series 2015–16<br /> gelatin silver photograph<br /> (99.0 x 74.0 cm) (image)<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Bowness Family Fund for Photography, 2017<br /> 2017.461<br /> © Zanele Muholi. Courtesy of the artist and Yancey Richardson, New York <!--123024--> Zanele MUHOLI
Ntozkhe II (Parktown)
 (2016)
from the Somnyama Ngonyama series 2015–16 Dora MAAR<br/> <em>Untitled (Study of Beauty)</em> (1936) <!-- (recto) --><br /> gelatin silver photograph<br /> 32.8 x 23.9 cm (image and sheet)<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Bowness Family Fund for Photography, 2021<br /> 2021.17<br /> © Dora Maar. Licensed by Copyright Agency, Australia <!--145584--> Dora MAAR
Untitled (Study of Beauty)
 (1936) Robert MAPPLETHORPE<br/> <em>Alistair Butler</em> 1980 <!-- (recto) --><br /> gelatin silver photograph<br /> 40.6 x 50.8 cm<br /> artist’s proof 2/3<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Purchased NGV Foundation, 2016<br /> 2016.435<br /> © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission <!--121102--> Robert MAPPLETHORPE
Alistair Butler
 1980 Julia Margaret CAMERON<br/> <em>Mrs Herbert Duckworth, her son George, Florence Fisher and H. A. L. Fisher</em> (c. 1871) <!-- (recto) --><br /> albumen silver photograph<br /> 31.0 x 22.7 cm (image and sheet) 35.4 x 24.5 cm (support)<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Purchased through The Art Foundation of Victoria with the assistance of the Herald & Weekly Times Limited, Fellow, 1979<br /> PH16-1979<br /> <!--11355--> Julia Margaret CAMERON
Mrs Herbert Duckworth, her son George, Florence Fisher and H. A. L. Fisher
 (c. 1871) Tyler MITCHELL<br/> <em>Albany, Georgia</em> (2021) <!-- (recto) --><br /> inkjet print<br /> 160.0 x 199.4 cm<br /> ed. 3/3<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Bowness Family Fund for Photography, 2022<br /> 2022.36<br /> © Tyler Mitchell, Jack Shainman Gallery, New York <!--148646--> Tyler MITCHELL
Albany, Georgia
 (2021) László MOHOLY-NAGY<br/> <em>Fotogram, 1925</em> 1925 <!-- (recto) --><br /> gelatin silver photograph<br /> <br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Presented by the National Gallery Society of Victoria, 1985<br /> PH82-1985<br /> <!--10371--> László MOHOLY-NAGY
Fotogram, 1925
 1925 Tracey MOFFATT<br/> <em>Invocations #2</em> 2000 <!-- (recto) --><br /> photo silkscreen<br /> 146.0 x 122.0 cm (image and sheet)<br /> ed. 36/60<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Presented by Ferrier Hodgson through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program, 2014<br /> 2014.317<br /> © Tracey Moffatt/Licenced by the Copyright Agency, Australia <!--113035--> Tracey MOFFATT
Invocations #2
 2000 Lakin OGUNBANWO<br/> <em>Are you lying</em> (2016) <!-- (recto) --><br /> from the <i>Are we good enough</i> series 2015–17<br /> inkjet print<br /> 119.0 x 79.5 cm (image) 135.0 x 95.5 cm (sheet)<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Bowness Family Fund for Photography, 2019<br /> 2019.215<br /> © Lakin Ogunbanwo, courtesy WHATIFTHEWORLD Gallery, Cape Town <!--139188--> Lakin OGUNBANWO
Are you lying
 (2016)
from the Are we good enough series 2015–17 Trevor PAGLEN<br/> <em>Untitled (Reaper drone)</em> 2013 <!-- (recto) --><br /> type C photograph<br /> 121.9 x 152.4 cm (image and sheet)<br /> ed. 2/5<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Purchased NGV Foundation, 2014<br /> 2014.543<br /> © Trevor Paglen <!--112880--> Trevor PAGLEN
Untitled (Reaper drone)
 2013 Patricia PICCININI<br/> <em>Psychogeography</em> (1996); (1998) {printed} <!-- (recto) --><br /> from the <i>Psycho</i> series 1996, in <i>The mutant genome project</i> 1994-<br /> type C photograph<br /> 120.6 x 258.4 cm (image) 126.9 x 278.8 cm (sheet)<br /> ed. 1/6<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Purchased through The Art Foundation of Victoria with the assistance of Optus Communications Pty Limited, Member, 1998<br /> 1998.252<br /> © Courtesy of the artist <!--61671--> Patricia PICCININI
Psychogeography
 (1996); printed (1998)
from the Psycho series 1996, in The mutant genome project 1994- Patrick POUND<br/> <em>People who look dead but (probably) aren't</em> 2011-2014 <!-- (group) --><br /> gelatin silver and type C prints<br /> <br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Yvonne Pettengell Bequest, 2014<br /> 2014.545<br /> © Patrick Pound <!--113028--> Patrick POUND
People who look dead but (probably) aren't
 2011-2014 MAN RAY<br/> <em>Kiki with African mask</em> 1926 <!-- (recto) --><br /> gelatin silver photograph<br /> 21.1 x 27.6 cm (image) 22.1 x 28.5 cm (sheet)<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Purchased through The Art Foundation of Victoria with the assistance of Miss Flora MacDonald Anderson and Mrs Ethel Elizabeth Ogilvy Lumsden, Founder Benefactors, 1983<br /> PH137-1983<br /> © Man Ray Trust. ADAGP/Copyright Agency <!--9783--> MAN RAY
Kiki with African mask
 1926 Thomas RUFF<br/> <em>Portrait (V. Liebermann D)</em> 1999 <!-- (recto) --><br /> <em>(Porträt (V. Liebermann D))</em><br /> type C photograph<br /> 210.4 x 165.4 cm (image)<br /> ed. 3/4<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Purchased with the assistance of the Bowness Family Fund for Contemporary Photography, 2008<br /> 2008.520<br /> © Thomas Ruff/VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn. Copyright Agency, 2023 <!--88390--> Thomas RUFF
Portrait (V. Liebermann D)
(Porträt (V. Liebermann D))
 1999 Cindy SHERMAN<br/> <em>Untitled</em> 1988; 2003 {printed} <!-- (recto) --><br /> from the <i>History portraits</i> series 1988-90<br /> type C photograph<br /> (94.2 x 57.5 cm) (image)<br /> ed. 5/6<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Felton Bequest, 2004<br /> 2004.641<br /> © Cindy Sherman. Courtesy of the artist and Metro Pictures <!--74785--> Cindy SHERMAN
Untitled
 1988; printed 2003
from the History portraits series 1988-90 David STEPHENSON<br/> <em>Star drawing (906)</em> 1996 <!-- (recto) --><br /> from the <i>Stars</i> series 1996–97<br /> cibachrome photograph<br /> 98.5 x 98.5 cm (image and sheet)<br /> ed. 1/15<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Purchased, 1997<br /> 1997.420<br /> © Courtesy of the artist <!--60680--> David STEPHENSON
Star drawing (906)
 1996
from the Stars series 1996–97 Wolfgang TILLMANS<br/> <em>Lars in tube</em> (1993) <!-- (recto) --><br /> type C photograph<br /> 61.0 x 50.8 cm<br /> ed. 3/3<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Purchased NGV Foundation, 2021<br /> 2021.570<br /> © Wolfgang Tillmans, courtesy Maureen Paley, London <!--147877--> Wolfgang TILLMANS
Lars in tube
 (1993) Thomas STRUTH<br/> <em>Pergamon Museum IV, Berlin</em> 2001 <!-- (recto) --><br /> type C photograph<br /> 144.1 x 219.9 cm (image) 151.5 x 226.8 cm (sheet)<br /> ed. 1/10<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Purchased with the assistance of the Bowness Family Fund for Contemporary Photography, 2008<br /> 2008.518<br /> © Thomas Struth <!--88385--> Thomas STRUTH
Pergamon Museum IV, Berlin
 2001 Darren SYLVESTER<br/> <em>What happens will happen #3</em> 2010 <!-- (recto) --><br /> inkjet print<br /> 120.0 x 90.0 cm (image and sheet)<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Purchased, Victorian Foundation for Living Australian Artists, 2015<br /> 2015.173<br /> © Darren Sylvester <!--114723--> Darren SYLVESTER
What happens will happen #3
 2010 Yvonne TODD<br/> <em>Werta</em> 2005 <!-- (recto) --><br /> lightjet print<br /> <br /> ed. 3/4<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Purchased NGV Foundation, 2013<br /> 2013.601<br /> © Yvonne Todd <!--107833--> Yvonne TODD
Werta
 2005 Hank WILLIS THOMAS<br/> <em>Amelia falling</em> 2014 <!-- (view 1) --><br /> photographic print, mirror and glass<br /> 166.0 x 135.0 cm<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Bowness Family Fund for Photography, 2017<br /> 2017.462<br /> © Hank Willis Thomas. Courtesy of the artist and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York <!--123031--> Hank WILLIS THOMAS
Amelia falling
 2014 Jeff WALL<br/> <em>Untangling</em> (1994); (2006) {printed} <!-- (recto) --><br /> colour cibachrome transparency, light box<br /> 207.1 x 241.0 x 26.2 cm<br /> artist's proof<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Purchased NGV Foundation and with the assistance of NGV Contemporary, 2006<br /> 2006.426<br /> © Jeff Wall <!--80492--> Jeff WALL
Untangling
 (1994); printed (2006) Anne ZAHALKA<br/> <em>Star City Casino</em> 1999 <!-- (recto) --><br /> from the <i>Leisureland</i> series 1998-<br /> type C photograph<br /> 115.1 x 145.5 cm (image)<br /> ed. 1/12<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Purchased, 1999<br /> 1999.389<br /> © Anne Zahalka/Licensed by Copyright Agency, Australia <!--66732--> Anne ZAHALKA
Star City Casino
 1999
from the Leisureland series 1998- H. C. WHITE CO., North Bennington, Vermont (manufacturer)<br/> <em>Universal Exposition, Paris. 10264. The Eiffel Tower and the Celestial Globe, stereograph</em> 1900 <!-- (recto) --><br /> albumen silver photograph<br /> 8.0 x 15.6 cm (image and sheet) 8.8 x 17.8 cm (support)<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> The Dr Robert Wilson Collection. Gift of Dr Robert Wilson, 2014<br /> 2014.1268<br /> <!--105325--> H. C. WHITE CO., North Bennington, Vermont (manufacturer)
Universal Exposition, Paris. 10264. The Eiffel Tower and the Celestial Globe, stereograph
 1900

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