National Portrait Gallery, London

National Portrait Gallery, London. Founded in 1856, it holds the world's most extensive collection of portraits dedicated to individuals who have shaped the history and culture of the British Isles. The collection spans from the Tudor period to the present day, encompassing paintings, photographs, sculptures, and miniatures. Its mission is to promote understanding of the people who have made significant contributions to British life through the medium of portraiture.

History

The institution was established by an Act of Parliament, with its founding championed by the Earl of Ellesmere and the historian Thomas Babington Macaulay. Its first home was at 29 Great George Street before moving to the Royal Academy in Burlington House. In 1896, it moved to its permanent site on St Martin's Place, a building funded by the philanthropist William Henry Alexander. Key figures in its early development included directors like George Scharf and later Charles Kingsley Adams, who oversaw significant expansions of the collection. A major redevelopment in the early 21st century, known as the "Inspiring People" project, was led by architect Jamie Fobert and completed in 2023.

Collection

The collection is defined by the importance of the sitter, not solely the artistic merit of the work. It includes over 250,000 items, ranging from 16th century portraits of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I to contemporary digital works. Key historical holdings feature the Chandos portrait, a famous depiction of William Shakespeare, and portraits of figures from the English Civil War like Oliver Cromwell. The collection is strong in 18th century portraiture, with works by Joshua Reynolds and Thomas Gainsborough, and holds extensive photographic archives, including works by Julia Margaret Cameron and Cecil Beaton. A defining policy is that no portrait of a living person is accepted until ten years after the sitter's death, with rare exceptions made by the Trustees.

Building

The core building, designed by Ewan Christian in a Neoclassical style, opened in 1896. The Ondaatje Wing, a major extension designed by Jeremy Dixon and Edward Jones, was added in 2000, creating a new entrance on St Martin's Place and housing the 20th century galleries. The 2023 redevelopment, led by Jamie Fobert Architects, radically transformed the visitor experience, restoring the historic building, creating new public spaces, and significantly increasing gallery space. The building connects to the National Gallery via a shared basement level and is adjacent to the Church of St Martin-in-the-Fields.

Governance and funding

It is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Governance is provided by a Board of Trustees, appointed by the Prime Minister, with recent chairs including David Ross and Charles Dunstone. Major funding comes from government grants, private donations, and revenue generation. The "Inspiring People" capital campaign raised over £40 million from donors including the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Blavatnik Family Foundation, and The Monument Trust.

Notable portraits

The collection features iconic images of British luminaries. Key historical works include the Armada portrait of Elizabeth I, George Gower's portrait of Sir Francis Drake, and Godfrey Kneller's painting of Sir Isaac Newton. Notable 19th century portraits include David Wilkie's depiction of Sir Walter Scott and John Everett Millais' portrait of Benjamin Disraeli. Modern highlights include Pablo Picasso's drawing of Sergei Diaghilev, David Hockney's painting of W. H. Auden, and Lucian Freud's portrait of Francis Bacon. Recent acquisitions include portraits of Malala Yousafzai by Shirin Neshat and Dame Sarah Gilbert by Hannah Starkey.

Public engagement and exhibitions

It hosts a dynamic programme of temporary exhibitions, which have included major shows on Virginia Woolf, Paul McCartney, David Hockney, and Michael Jackson. The annual BP Portrait Award is a prestigious competition for contemporary portrait painting. Public engagement initiatives include extensive learning programmes, digital archives, and outreach projects. The gallery also runs the National Photographic Portrait Prize and collaborates with institutions like the Royal Society and the BBC on public events and broadcasts.