St Martin's Place, London 🇬🇧
The world's first public portrait gallery, the National Portrait Gallery holds the most extensive collection of portraits in the world, spanning Tudor monarchs to contemporary figures. Founded in 1856 and located steps from Trafalgar Square, the gallery reopened in 2023 following a major three-year refurbishment, with new galleries, improved public spaces, and a refreshed approach to its collection.
Explore 2 exhibitions on now and 1 coming soon at National Portrait Gallery.
Until Sep 6
Monroe's centenary explored through portraits by Warhol, Beaton, Avedon and 20+ photographers
"In that regard, and in staking her claim as an active participant in how she was perceived during her lifetime, it's a success. But Monroe is so chameleonic, so charming, so conscious of audience and image that – between star and photographer – we only get an occasional glimpse of the human behind the pictures."
Until Oct 7
44th edition of the UK's most prestigious contemporary portrait painting prize
Coming SoonStarting Oct 8
Walker's five-year portrait project celebrating queer identity and LGBTQ+ trailblazers
St Martin's Place, London·View on artmap
Sunday10:30am–6pm
Monday10:30am–6pm
Tuesday10:30am–6pm
Wednesday10:30am–6pm
Thursday10:30am–6pm
Friday10:30am–9pm
Saturday10:30am–6pm
EndedEnded May 31
First major UK museum show of Opie's 30-year photographic portrait practice
"There’s this constant push-pull between subterfuge and reveal, between tradition and subversion, the collective and the individual, fixity and fluidity, flattery and provocation."
EndedEnded May 4
The UK's most comprehensive Freud works-on-paper show: 170+ drawings from the NPG
"Freud’s drawings show the artist’s meticulous process, but lack the oomph of his paintings."
EndedEnded Feb 8
Annual portrait photography prize showcasing amateurs, emerging and established photographers