National Portrait Gallery

Do you have a favourite from this year’s Herbert Smith Freehills Portrait Award? Have your say in our Visitor’s Choice and be in with a chance of winning a prize courtesy of Cass Art. Vote today: https://brnw.ch/21wMzeu 🤝 Supported by Herbert Smith Freehills 🎨 Lying (2020) by Catherine Chambers © Catherine Chambers

Over 100 famous faces from the worlds of art, fashion, business and entertainment will be exhibited as part of LEGENDS by Zoë Law, a new display opening on the 29 November 🎉 Among the highlights of the display is a portrait of Noel Gallagher, making its debut since being acquired for our Collection. Reflecting on this new addition, Gallagher shared his thoughts with the Gallery... “I am thrilled and honoured to have my portrait added to the National Portrait Gallery’s permanent Collection. The thought of the portrait of a grumpy middle-aged man who frankly hates having his picture taken being permanently displayed for future generations to marvel at is very special. Thanks and praise.” ⭐Other sitters include footballer Sir Bobby Charlton, Co-Founder of UK Black Pride, Lady Phyll, actor Orlando Bloom, writer Lemn Sissay, and even a never-before-seen work featuring Kim Cattrall. 📷 Noel Gallagher by Zoë Law © Zoë Law, 2019

#DidYouKnow there is a free photography display in our Spotlight Space? If you walk down to floor –3 you will find the Photo Portrait Now display which highlights a partnership project with five universities from across England and Wales exploring contemporary portrait photography over the 2023-2024 academic year.   Through talks, workshops and tours, the programme connected students with the NPG Collection, curators, and contemporary photographers. Students were then invited to take their own photographic portraits, responding to the works and themes in the Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize exhibition. Their work, displayed here for the first time, demonstrates the students’ unique approaches to the brief which highlight their own styles, stories and experiments with the genre.   Thanks to all the students who participated in the Photo Portrait Now project and our project partners: Arts University Bournemouth, London South Bank University, University of the Creative Arts Farnham, University of Plymouth, and the University of South Wales.   Photo Portrait Now is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Art Fund. Open until 8 September 2024 Plan your visit via the link: https://lnkd.in/eq4JDYat 🎥 Film edited by @honosvisuals, with footage from @honosvisuals & @saltlakecitypunk from London South Bank Collective

In creating this portrait, Peter James Field aimed to capture the strong and purposeful character of his friend and fellow artist, Yeside. On the day of the sitting, they spent several hours at Yeside's home experimenting with various poses and lighting. Yeside selected a robe dyed in shades of red and lilac and ultimately struck a pose instinctively, without any direction from the artist. Field deliberately emphasized her hands, believing they conveyed as much emotion as her face. 📍 Find this work on display in the Herbert Smith Freehills Portrait Award 2024 ⭐ Admission free 📅 On until 27 October 🤝 Supported by Herbert Smith Freehills 🎨 Yeside By Peter James Field, 2023 © Peter James Field

We’re excited to share that Victoria Siddall has been appointed as the new Director of the National Portrait Gallery. With over 20 years’ experience of leadership positions in the art world, both in the public and private sectors, she will take up the post in Autumn 2024. Victoria was previously Global Director of Frieze, founding Frieze Masters and then leading four international art fairs across London, New York and Los Angeles. She co-founded Gallery Climate Coalition and Murmur, two charities that drive environmental responsibility in the art and music sectors. For the past two years she has also worked with Tate in a strategic advisory capacity. 📷 © Benjamin McMahon

We’re excited to share that Victoria Siddall has been appointed as the new Director of the National Portrait Gallery. With over 20 years’ experience of leadership positions in the art world, both in the public and private sectors, she will take up the post in Autumn 2024. Victoria was previously Global Director of Frieze, founding Frieze Masters and then leading four international art fairs across London, New York and Los Angeles. She co-founded Gallery Climate Coalition and Murmur, two charities that drive environmental responsibility in the art and music sectors. For the past two years she has also worked with Tate in a strategic advisory capacity. 📷 © Benjamin McMahon

What do artists consider when creating work? Find out with Herbert Smith Freehills Portrait Award artist Ilaria Rosselli Del Turco…

You might have spotted Robert Dudley’s portrait miniature on display, but do you know how it got there? Read our latest story entry by conservator Sally Higgs as she prepares this 16th century portrait miniature for display in Room 5 of the Gallery. Link: https://lnkd.in/emvuhGjr 🎨 Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester by Nicholas Hilliard, 1576© National Portrait Gallery, London

We are thrilled to announce the shortlisted photographers for the Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize 2024 are... ⭐Adam Ferguson for ‘Pintupi-Luritja Lutheran Pastor Simon Dixon, Ikuntji/Haast Bluff, Arrernte Country, Northern Territory’, ‘Cousin sisters Shauna and Bridget Perdjert, Kardu Thithay Diminin Clan and Murrinhpatha language group’ (pictured), and ‘Kukatja Pintupi boy Matthew West, hunting trip’ – all from the series ‘Big Sky’. ⭐Jesse Navarre Vos for ‘Mom, I’ll follow you still’ – from the series ‘I’ll come following you.’ ⭐Tjitske Sluis for ‘Mom’ – from the series ‘Out of Love, Out of Necessity.’ ⭐Steph Wilson for ‘Sonam’ – from the series ‘Ideal Mother’ 📅 The winner will be announced 12 November 2024 🤝 Supported by Taylor Wessing UK

Gabriel Lewis created this beautiful portrait using the time-honoured sight-size method, drawing inspiration from the techniques of the renowned John Singer Sargent. This method involves placing the sitter and canvas side by side, and then the artist takes several strides back to view the subject from a distance. The sitter, Shannice, is a talented illustrator working in the heart of Florence. 📍 Find this work on display in the Herbert Smith Freehills Portrait Award 2024 ⭐ Admission free 📅 On until 27 October 🎨 Shannice, Florentine Woman, 2023 by Gabriel Lewis © Gabriel Lewis