NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY, LONDON
THE LARGEST PORTRAIT COLLECTION IN THE WORLD
Founded in 1856, the National Portrait Gallery, London is the world’s first national portrait gallery, it also holds the most extensive collection of portraits, including 215,000 works of eminent individuals from the 16th Century to the present day, each of whom have played an important role in British and world history. The Gallery in London is currently closed until 2023, while essential building works take place as part of its Inspiring People redevelopment project. Because of this, treasures from the National Portrait Gallery’s Collection have been able to leave the UK in the grandest exhibition of this scale since the Gallery’s establishment over 160 years ago.
The National Portrait Gallery was founded in 1856. It was based on a bold idea: to form a collection of those who have influenced British history and culture. The collection explores ideas of social change, personal development and the power and creativity of individuals—the talent and genius of the people portrayed is considered even more important than the skill of the artist. Ultimately, it is a museum of people and a collection of stories and ideas.
The Gallery has one of the most extensive collections of portraits in the world and represents over 500 years of British history. The range of media and styles in the collection has expanded to include photography and new media alongside sculpture and painting. In the last 40 years, the Gallery has also commissioned portraits. The collection allows us to explore the universal questions of biography, diversity and fame which lie at the heart of issues of identity and achievement.