Nicole Kidman fulfills late mother’s final wish with special portrait

Superstar Nicole Kidman often credits her late mother, Janelle, as the inspiration behind her career—so it’s no surprise that the acclaimed actress and producer frequently honours her mum in both her work and on social media.

Now the 57 year old Babygirl star and her sister Antonia, 54, have fulfilled their beloved mum’s “dying wish” and it’s available for viewing at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

The piece, called Sisters, is an oil-on-canvas portrait by acclaimed artist Jaq Grantford who captured the two women during a sitting in Sydney on Christmas Eve.

“One of Janelle’s dying wishes was to have this portrait painted to celebrate her daughters’ close family bond,” Grantford explained.

A statement on the gallery’s website said the painting, which became a finalist in the 2025 Archibald Prize, shows Nicole and Antonia cuddling up together under a large swath of green brocade cloth as a “reference to children playing make-believe and a way to unite the sisters, showing their close relationship.”

It went on to explain that Grantford chose the luxurious fabric as a nod to Hollywood and glamour, and also for its floral pattern, which Janelle loved.

In addition, the three-time Archibald entrant explained how difficult it must have been for the women who sat for the portrait during their first Christmas without their mother.

“I felt honoured and touched that they agreed to a Christmas sitting,” Grantford said.

Kidman said via the statement that, “the fact that they could all get together on such a special day was ‘a Christmas miracle'”.

The artwork’s release comes after Kidman delivered a moving tribute to both her late parents, reflecting on how deeply she misses them.

Amid her grief, Kidman took to Instagram to mark her mother’s birthday, reflecting on her parents no longer being in her life.

“Missing Mumma and Papa so much on what would have been her birthday today,” she wrote.

 

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In response to Kidman’s moving post, fans flooded her social media with messages of sympathy and support, offering words of comfort during this challenging time.

“Sending so much love ❤️ you look just like the perfect mix of them,” one wrote.

“Were so beautiful 🤍 happy heavenly to her and lots of love sent your way.”

“Tough days to navigate, that’s for sure. Sending love to you,” commented another.

“Sending so much love & big hugs to you.”

Kidman recently spoke about her ongoing grief, explaining that it has been “a hard road” since her mother’s passing but that she is “hanging in there”.

-with BANG.