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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.

The Dissecting Room

Joanna Gilmour accounts for Australia’s deliciously ghoulish nineteenth century criminal portraiture. 

More information on The Dissecting Room

Selected images

4 images
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Self portrait
Self portrait, c. 1849 Charles Rodius
Donohoe c.1830, attributed to Thomas Mitchell (1792-1855)
Donohoe c.1830, attributed to Thomas Mitchell (1792-1855)
John Knatchbull, Murderer of Mrs Ellen Jamieson
John Knatchbull, Murderer of Mrs Ellen Jamieson, 1844 Charles Rodius, Hiberian Printing Office
The Governor of Gaol (Henry Keck), 1847 by William Nicholas
The Governor of Gaol (Henry Keck), 1847 by William Nicholas
4 images
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Related information

Ned Kelly death mask
Ned Kelly death mask
Ned Kelly death mask
Ned Kelly death mask

Sideshow Alley

Infamy, the macabre & the portrait

Previous exhibition, 2015

Death masks, post-mortem drawings and other spooky and disquieting portraits... Come and see how portraits of infamous Australians were used in the 19th century.
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance

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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 past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

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