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Home/Museums/National Portrait Gallery

National Portrait Gallery

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 3 coming soon at National Portrait Gallery.

Lucian Freud: Drawing into PaintingEnding Soon
National Portrait Gallery

Lucian Freud: Drawing into Painting

Until 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."

— TimeOut

Catherine Opie: To Be Seen
National Portrait Gallery

Catherine Opie: To Be Seen

Until 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."

— The Guardian

Marilyn Monroe: A PortraitComing Soon
National Portrait Gallery

Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait

Starting Jun 4

Monroe's centenary explored through portraits by Warhol, Beaton, Avedon and 20+ photographers

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award 2026Coming Soon
National Portrait Gallery

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award 2026

Starting Jun 25

44th edition of the UK's most prestigious contemporary portrait painting prize

Tim Walker's Fairyland: Love and LegendsComing Soon
National Portrait Gallery

Tim Walker's Fairyland: Love and Legends

Starting Oct 8

Walker's five-year portrait project celebrating queer identity and LGBTQ+ trailblazers

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National Portrait Gallery

St Martin's Place, London·View on artmap

Sunday10:30am–6pm

Monday10:30am–6pm

Tuesday ·10:30am–6pm

Wednesday10:30am–6pm

Thursday10:30am–6pm

Friday10:30am–9pm

Saturday10:30am–6pm

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