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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n Save this article for later<\/p>\n Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime.<\/p>\n Got it<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n The National Portrait Gallery has quietly returned a gifted portrait of billionaire miner Gina Rinehart, ending protracted negotiations over how the artwork should be displayed.<\/p>\n The work, a 2018 portrait by Perth-based artist Alix Korte, was officially returned to Australia\u2019s richest person without public fanfare from the gallery in August, after the parties failed to reach an agreement over the legal terms of the gift.<\/p>\n The gallery originally accepted Portrait of Gina Rinehart in 2019, the transfer of title conditional on Rinehart accepting the gallery\u2019s standard terms outlined in its Deed of Gift.<\/p>\n In 2024, gallery director Bree Pickering told Senate estimates the donor provided a \u201cspecific set of instructions\u201d regarding the display of the piece<\/a>.<\/p>\n Pickering did not reveal the specifics as they were then still under negotiation, but said, for most people, having a portrait in the institute\u2019s collection was seen as an honour.<\/p>\n Related Article \u201cPeople tend to be happy to have their painting in the gallery,\u201d she said, adding: \u201cWe don\u2019t often accept gifts with conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n This week, the gallery confirmed that \u201cfollowing discussions between the parties, the terms of the gallery\u2019s standard Deed of Gift were not accepted by the donor\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cAccordingly, the portrait was returned to the donor. The work of art was dispatched from the National Portrait Gallery on August 5, 2025. This matter is now resolved.<\/p>\n \u201cThe gallery recognises the generous offer of the gift by Mrs Rinehart who remains a subject of interest for the National Portrait Gallery of Australia Collection.\u201d<\/p>\n Senator David Pocock said he believed the outcome would be warmly welcomed by many Canberrans.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s great to see one of our much-loved national cultural institution, the National Portrait Gallery, not bending their rules for Australia\u2019s wealthiest person.\u201d<\/p>\n The Korte portrait was widely seen as the \u201cauthorised\u201d alternative to a far more contentious depiction of the mining magnate by Indigenous artist Vincent Namatjira<\/a>.<\/p>\n That work \u2013 part of a series titled Australia in Colour which is currently on display at the National Gallery of Australia \u2013 depicts Rinehart with exaggerated features which her associates and supporters described as offensive and deeply disrespectful. The portrait was one of two she asked the gallery to \u201cpermanently dispose\u201d of, according to emails obtained under freedom of information laws<\/a>.<\/p>\n An Olympic gold medallist and one of the top officials in Australian swimming joined the magnate in calling for the portrait\u2019s withdrawal from display<\/a>. Namatjira defended the work<\/a>, stating he \u201cpaints the world as he sees it\u201d to highlight the equal standing of all Australians, regardless of wealth.<\/p>\n By contrast, the Korte portrait returned last August was one the billionaire thoroughly endorsed. Korte, who is married to Hancock Prospecting chief executive Garry Korte<\/a>, painted the work as part of a series originally gifted to Rinehart for her birthday.<\/p>\n Hancock Prospecting did not respond to questions regarding the negotiations or the current location of the Korte portrait.<\/p>\n Start the day with a summary of the day\u2019s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/4b3e5c881145c7ce9be848902380f507cef5ee88.jpeg\")
A portrait of Gina Rinehart, from a series by WA artist Alix Korte, appears on the mining billionaire\u2019s official website.ginarinehart.com.au<\/p>\n![\"Gina](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/497be95a43923be8ec7bd98a7d2dd4dc26e26b93.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/37f15319e262913959468e965645f2fc6a8b0227.jpeg\")
The portraits the billionaire miner sought to remove from public display.<\/p>\n