National Portrait Gallery, London

History and location

The gallery opened in the mid-19th century and in 1896 moved to its present site at St Martin's Place, just off Trafalgar Square and adjacent to the National Gallery. The late Victorian building has been altered and expanded several times to provide exhibition galleries, conservation studios and study facilities; later projects sought to improve accessibility and accommodate temporary exhibitions. Local information about the building and its setting can be found at the St Martin's Place location resource.

Collection

The collection spans the Tudor period to the present day and includes painted portraits, drawings, prints, photographs and sculptural likenesses. It documents monarchs, politicians, writers, scientists, artists, performers and other public figures. The gallery maintains an extensive photographic archive and offers a searchable online catalogue and highlights selection for remote research and public access via the collection overview.

Exhibitions, commissions and public programmes

In addition to its permanent displays, the gallery organises temporary exhibitions, new commissions and public programmes aimed at schools, community groups and researchers. It runs competitions and awards, loans works to other museums and partners, and develops digital projects to broaden access. The institution operates regional partnerships and outposts to bring parts of the collection to audiences outside London.

Governance and role

The National Portrait Gallery is a public institution sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and functions independently of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh; the two institutions are distinct entities (Scottish National Portrait Gallery). Its collecting policy emphasises historical significance and cultural relevance when acquiring or commissioning new portraits.

• Founded: 1856, first gallery devoted to portraiture
• Location: St Martin's Place, near Trafalgar Square (map and directions)
• Holdings: multi-media portraits from the Tudor period to today
• Functions: collecting, exhibitions, research, conservation, education
• Public access: on-site galleries and online catalogue (collection overview)

Over more than a century and a half the National Portrait Gallery has continued to develop its displays, research facilities and outreach work, preserving a national record of personal likenesses that help to illuminate British history and identity. For practical visitor details and tickets consult the official site.