National Portrait Gallery, London
London, UK
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Visitor Information
Museum Address
St Martin's Place, London WC2H 0HE, United Kingdom
London, UK
Ticket Prices
Free (exhibitions vary)
Featured Artists
6 artists in database
The National Portrait Gallery opened in 1856 as the world's first gallery dedicated to portraits of notable people rather than artworks by notable artists. The founding principle held that historical significance mattered more than artistic merit, though the collection now includes masterpieces by Joshua Reynolds, Thomas Gainsborough, and John Everett Millais. The gallery moved to its current St Martin's Place location in 1896, just off Trafalgar Square.
A three-year renovation completed in 2023 transformed the galleries, increasing displayed portraits by a third to over 1,100 works. The collection spans from Tudor monarchs through Victorian scientists to contemporary celebrities, telling British history through faces. Reynolds' Portrait of Omai, depicting the first Polynesian to visit Britain, was saved for the nation in 2023 after a major fundraising campaign. The gallery hosts the annual BP Portrait Award showcasing contemporary portraiture, and admission to the permanent collection remains free.
National Portrait Gallery, London in London, UK houses 8 masterpieces in our database, including works by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Thomas Gainsborough and John Constable and 3 other artists. Notable works include Portrait of Sarah Kirby (née Bull) and John Joshua Kirby and Self-portrait shading the Eyes.
Famous Works at National Portrait Gallery, London
Browse 8 notable artworks in our database. Click any work to see details and plan your visit.
Visiting National Portrait Gallery, London
Portraits of notable British figures from the Tudor era to today. Dante Gabriel Rossetti's portraits and Joshua Reynolds's Self-portrait shading the Eyes are among the painted highlights.
Yes, admission is free. The gallery reopened in 2023 after a major renovation. Thomas Gainsborough's Portrait of Sarah Kirby hangs alongside other Georgian-era works on the upper floor.
On St Martin's Place, right behind the National Gallery at Trafalgar Square. Charing Cross and Leicester Square tube stations are both close. Millais's Portrait of Wilkie Collins is in the Victorian galleries.
Ford Madox Brown, Rossetti, Reynolds, and Gainsborough all have multiple works here. The Pre-Raphaelite section is particularly strong.
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Browse Our CollectionPlease note: Artwork locations and display status may change. Some paintings may be on loan, in restoration, or moved to different galleries within the museum. We recommend contacting National Portrait Gallery, London directly to confirm specific artwork availability before your visit.
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