National Portrait Gallery

13/09/2021

Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2021

Tickets are now on sale for the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2021 exhibition!

While our Inspiring People redevelopment works take place, this year's exhibition is happening at Cromwell Place in South Kensington. Join us at this exciting new arts hub to see the best in contemporary portrait photography.

The exhibition is open from 10 November 2021 until 2 January 2022 and you can book your ticket here: https://www.npg.org.uk/whatson/twppp2021/tickets/

#PhotoPrize

12/09/2021

Today's #portraitoftheday is of fashion model Naomi Campbell. Campbell was talent scouted at the age of 15 and became one of the most in-demand models of the 1980s and 1990s, dubbed one of the only six "supermodels" of her generation.⁠
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Campbell was the first Black British model to appear on the cover of British Vogue in 1987 and the first Black model on the covers of Vogue Paris, Vogue Russia and TIME.⁠
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Campbell is also a passionate campaigner against racism in the fashion industry, founding Balance Diversity with fellow model Iman and activist Bethann Hardison. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, she organised her first Fashion For Relief show, an annual event which fundraises for a variety of environmental and humanitarian causes.⁠
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📸 Naomi Campbell by Simon Frederick, 2016 © Simon Frederick / National Portrait Gallery⁠

Today's #portraitoftheday is of fashion model Naomi Campbell. Campbell was talent scouted at the age of 15 and became one of the most in-demand models of the 1980s and 1990s, dubbed one of the only six "supermodels" of her generation.⁠
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Campbell was the first Black British model to appear on the cover of British Vogue in 1987 and the first Black model on the covers of Vogue Paris, Vogue Russia and TIME.⁠
⁠
Campbell is also a passionate campaigner against racism in the fashion industry, founding Balance Diversity with fellow model Iman and activist Bethann Hardison. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, she organised her first Fashion For Relief show, an annual event which fundraises for a variety of environmental and humanitarian causes.⁠
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📸 Naomi Campbell by Simon Frederick, 2016 © Simon Frederick / National Portrait Gallery⁠

12/09/2021

Congratulations to Emma Raducanu, who won the #USOpen last night, becoming the first British woman to win a Grand Slam final since Virginia Wade in 1977 👏

Wade was there to watch Raducanu's victory, getting to witness the 18-year-old tennis star's history-making match!

Did you catch the final?

📸 Virginia Wade by J.S. Lewinski, June 1962 © National Portrait Gallery, London

Congratulations to Emma Raducanu, who won the #USOpen last night, becoming the first British woman to win a Grand Slam final since Virginia Wade in 1977 👏

Wade was there to watch Raducanu's victory, getting to witness the 18-year-old tennis star's history-making match!

Did you catch the final?

📸 Virginia Wade by J.S. Lewinski, June 1962 © National Portrait Gallery, London

11/09/2021

Did you know that this portrait of William Shakespeare was the first portrait to be acquired by our Gallery, back in 1856? 🎭⁠
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The painting is known as the 'Chandos portrait', after a previous owner. From today, the portrait will be on display at Fries Museum in The Netherlands as part of the Icons and Identities exhibition.⁠
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Having previously been displayed at the Museum of Korea, this exhibition draws upon our Collection to bring together some of the most famous faces in British history, including William Shakespeare, Malala Yousafzai, and Audrey Hepburn.

Exploring themes of fame, power, love and loss, identity, innovation and the self-portrait, you can purchase the corresponding Icons and Identities book from our Shop and enjoy the exhibition from home: https://npgshop.org.uk/products/icons-and-identities-hardcover
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🎨 William Shakespeare associated with John Taylor, circa © National Portrait Gallery, London⁠

Did you know that this portrait of William Shakespeare was the first portrait to be acquired by our Gallery, back in 1856? 🎭⁠
⁠
The painting is known as the 'Chandos portrait', after a previous owner. From today, the portrait will be on display at Fries Museum in The Netherlands as part of the Icons and Identities exhibition.⁠
⁠
Having previously been displayed at the Museum of Korea, this exhibition draws upon our Collection to bring together some of the most famous faces in British history, including William Shakespeare, Malala Yousafzai, and Audrey Hepburn.

Exploring themes of fame, power, love and loss, identity, innovation and the self-portrait, you can purchase the corresponding Icons and Identities book from our Shop and enjoy the exhibition from home: https://npgshop.org.uk/products/icons-and-identities-hardcover
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🎨 William Shakespeare associated with John Taylor, circa © National Portrait Gallery, London⁠

10/09/2021

We're excited to announce that we're partnering with The Holburne Museum, Walker Art Gallery, Sheffield Museums and York Art Gallery to stage two major new exhibitions featuring some of the best-loved works from our Collection 🖌️🖼️

The Tudors: Passion, Power and Politics exhibition will present the five Tudor monarchs and some of the most familiar figures from English history. It also marks the first time such a large number of our Tudor portraits have been lent for exhibition. Opening at The Holburne Museum in January 2022, the exhibition will then go on to Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool in May 2022.

Also on loan together for the first time, will be 58 of our portraits of the Bloomsbury Group and their closest associates in Beyond Bloomsbury: Life, Love and Legacy. Exploring the lives and works of an extraordinary group of writers, artists and thinkers, you can visit this exhibition at Millennium Gallery in Sheffield this November or catch the portraits at York Art Gallery in March 2022.

Which portrait are you most excited to see?

🎨 Jane Seymour after Hans Holbein the Younger, circa 1537 © National Portrait Gallery, London
🎨 E.M. Forster by Dora Carrington, 1920 © National Portrait Gallery, London

09/09/2021

Fashion in womenswear changed frequently during the Regency period, with it being an indication of social position and political affiliation 👗⁠
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This portrait of Caroline of Brunswick, who was the Queen of George IV, shows a dress of striking red velvet. Its ruff of fine muslin and 'rolled-up' sleeves, secured with gold braid, showcases how the Renaissance was an influence on female court costume at this time.
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This portrait was painted after Caroline's separation from the Prince of Wales. Thomas Lawrence, who was rumoured to be among her lovers, depicts her here in a defiant mood, with her wedding ring deep in shadow.⁠
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You can currently visit this portrait at the National Gallery where the painting been loaned to during our closure.
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🎨Caroline Amelia Elizabeth of Brunswick by Sir Thomas Lawrence, 1804 © National Portrait Gallery, London⁠

Fashion in womenswear changed frequently during the Regency period, with it being an indication of social position and political affiliation 👗⁠
⁠
This portrait of Caroline of Brunswick, who was the Queen of George IV, shows a dress of striking red velvet. Its ruff of fine muslin and 'rolled-up' sleeves, secured with gold braid, showcases how the Renaissance was an influence on female court costume at this time.
⁠
This portrait was painted after Caroline's separation from the Prince of Wales. Thomas Lawrence, who was rumoured to be among her lovers, depicts her here in a defiant mood, with her wedding ring deep in shadow.⁠
⁠
You can currently visit this portrait at the National Gallery where the painting been loaned to during our closure.
⁠
🎨Caroline Amelia Elizabeth of Brunswick by Sir Thomas Lawrence, 1804 © National Portrait Gallery, London⁠

08/09/2021

This #InternationalLiteracyDay, we're celebrating the power of reading with this portrait of children's author Jacqueline Wilson.⁠
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Wilson is one of Britain's bestselling authors, having written over 100 books and being the creator of the famous Tracy Beaker character. A former Children's Laureate, Wilson has also won Children's Book of the Year and was appointed a Dame in 2008.⁠
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Do you have a favourite Jacqueline Wilson story? ⁠
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📸Dame Jacqueline Wilson (née Aitken) by Maud Sulter, 2001 © National Portrait Gallery, London⁠

This #InternationalLiteracyDay, we're celebrating the power of reading with this portrait of children's author Jacqueline Wilson.⁠
⁠
Wilson is one of Britain's bestselling authors, having written over 100 books and being the creator of the famous Tracy Beaker character. A former Children's Laureate, Wilson has also won Children's Book of the Year and was appointed a Dame in 2008.⁠
⁠
Do you have a favourite Jacqueline Wilson story? ⁠
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📸Dame Jacqueline Wilson (née Aitken) by Maud Sulter, 2001 © National Portrait Gallery, London⁠

07/09/2021

Queen Elizabeth I, the last Tudor monarch, was born #onthisday in 1533 👑⁠
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The daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth came to the throne on the death of her half-sister, Mary I. Her long reign began in 1558, which saw a secure Church of England being established. Known as the 'virgin queen', Elizabeth remained single during her reign.⁠

You can currently view this portrait as part of the #TudorstoWindsors exhibition at Royal Museums Greenwich which features Royal portraits from our Collection. Learn more about the exhibition here: https://www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/national-maritime-museum/tudors-windsors-british-royal-portraits
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📸 Queen Elizabeth I ('The Ditchley portrait') by Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger, circa 1592 © National Portrait Gallery, London⁠

Queen Elizabeth I, the last Tudor monarch, was born #onthisday in 1533 👑⁠
⁠
The daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth came to the throne on the death of her half-sister, Mary I. Her long reign began in 1558, which saw a secure Church of England being established. Known as the 'virgin queen', Elizabeth remained single during her reign.⁠

You can currently view this portrait as part of the #TudorstoWindsors exhibition at Royal Museums Greenwich which features Royal portraits from our Collection. Learn more about the exhibition here: https://www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/national-maritime-museum/tudors-windsors-british-royal-portraits
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📸 Queen Elizabeth I ('The Ditchley portrait') by Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger, circa 1592 © National Portrait Gallery, London⁠

07/09/2021

Today you'll spot a new addition in London...

A green plaque is being installed at 5 Porchester Place in honour of artist Halima Nałęcz.⁠
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Born Halima Maria Krzywicz-Nowohonska in 1914 in Antonowo, she fled through war-torn Europe and spent the majority of her youth as a political refugee, settling in London in 1947.⁠
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Nałęcz went on to become an artist, patron and co-founder of the New Vision Gallery, as well as the owner of the Drian Galleries at Porchester Place where she promoted and supported emerging artists. The plaque has been put up at Porchester Place to commemorate her role as a patron of the arts, especially in and for Poland 🎨⁠
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📸 Halima Nalecz by Bob Collins, 1970s © estate of Bob Collins / National Portrait Gallery, London

06/09/2021

Happy birthday to Idris Elba 🎉🎈⁠
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Born in Hackney, Elba first became interested in acting at school. After seeing an advertisement in The Stage, he auditioned and met his first agent whilst performing in his very first role. ⁠

After leaving school, Elba won a place in the National Youth Music Theatre where he was awarded a grant from the Prince's Trust. He has gone on to appear in Ridley Scott's American Gangster, Luther, Beasts of No Nation, and the Avengers. ⁠
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What's your favourite film or TV show Elba has starred in?
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📸 Idris Elba by Julian Broad, 16 January 2010⁠ © Julian Broad / National Portrait Gallery, London⁠

Happy birthday to Idris Elba 🎉🎈⁠
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Born in Hackney, Elba first became interested in acting at school. After seeing an advertisement in The Stage, he auditioned and met his first agent whilst performing in his very first role. ⁠

After leaving school, Elba won a place in the National Youth Music Theatre where he was awarded a grant from the Prince's Trust. He has gone on to appear in Ridley Scott's American Gangster, Luther, Beasts of No Nation, and the Avengers. ⁠
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What's your favourite film or TV show Elba has starred in?
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📸 Idris Elba by Julian Broad, 16 January 2010⁠ © Julian Broad / National Portrait Gallery, London⁠

06/09/2021

The People Powered: From the ground up exhibition is officially up at Brent Museum and Archives!
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Open from today, come along to this free exhibition in Brent, London, to see newly acquired portraits in our Collection of Freddie Mercury, Alex Scott and Marcus Rashford on display for the first time.⁠
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In From the ground up, you can learn more about the lives of those who have worked at Wembley Stadium and Arena or enjoyed career defining moments there. See portraits of Kanya King, Rachel Yankey, Bobby Moore, and many other sporting and music icons, as well as showcase posters, souvenirs and archive photographs from the stadium over the years. ⁠
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Find out more about the exhibition: https://www.npg.org.uk/visit/inspiring-people-across-the-uk/people-powered/people-powered-brent/exhibition-and-new-works⁠
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From the ground up is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Art Fund.⁠
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📸 National Portrait Gallery/Benedict Johnson Photography

05/09/2021

Happy Birthday to Freddie Mercury, who was born #onthisday in 1946 🎉 ⁠
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Taken at Wembley Stadium in 1986 by Neal Preston, this photograph captures the iconic musician and lead singer of Queen mid-performance. We're thrilled to have acquired this portrait for our Collection, which will be first displayed at From the ground up, a new exhibition in partnership with Brent Museum and Archives.⁠
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Open from tomorrow at The Library at Willesden Green in Brent, this free exhibition delves into the lives of those who have worked at Wembley Stadium and Wembley Arena or enjoyed career defining moments there. Alongside this portrait of Mercury, the exhibition also includes portraits of Kanya King, Alex Scott and Bobby Moore, as well as a film co-produced by Other Cinemas and young people in Brent that tells the grassroots stories of Wembley. ⁠
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From the ground up is part of People Powered, our project looking at local industries across the UK and celebrating those involved in these important industries. Find out more about the exhibition here: https://www.npg.org.uk/visit/inspiring-people-across-the-uk/people-powered/people-powered-brent/exhibition-and-new-works

📸 Freddie Mercury by Neal Preston, 1986, given by The Lightpower Collection in 2021 © Queen Productions Ltd⁠

Happy Birthday to Freddie Mercury, who was born #onthisday in 1946 🎉 ⁠
⁠
Taken at Wembley Stadium in 1986 by Neal Preston, this photograph captures the iconic musician and lead singer of Queen mid-performance. We're thrilled to have acquired this portrait for our Collection, which will be first displayed at From the ground up, a new exhibition in partnership with Brent Museum and Archives.⁠
⁠
Open from tomorrow at The Library at Willesden Green in Brent, this free exhibition delves into the lives of those who have worked at Wembley Stadium and Wembley Arena or enjoyed career defining moments there. Alongside this portrait of Mercury, the exhibition also includes portraits of Kanya King, Alex Scott and Bobby Moore, as well as a film co-produced by Other Cinemas and young people in Brent that tells the grassroots stories of Wembley. ⁠
⁠
From the ground up is part of People Powered, our project looking at local industries across the UK and celebrating those involved in these important industries. Find out more about the exhibition here: https://www.npg.org.uk/visit/inspiring-people-across-the-uk/people-powered/people-powered-brent/exhibition-and-new-works

📸 Freddie Mercury by Neal Preston, 1986, given by The Lightpower Collection in 2021 © Queen Productions Ltd⁠

04/09/2021

Did you know it is rumoured Henry VIII introduced a beard tax? ⁠
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Though The National Archives hold no evidence for this tax, it has become an urban legend that Henry VIII introduced it in 1535. So for #WorldBeardDay, it seems only fair for some bearded Tudor figures to battle it out for the 👑 of who has the best beard & 'tache.⁠
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Does Henry VIII, William Cecil, Thomas Gresham, or Thomas Wentworth get your vote?⁠
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Let us know in the comments!
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🎨 King Henry VIII by Unknown artist, 1597-1618⁠ © NPG⁠
🎨 William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley by Unknown Anglo-Netherlandish artist, 1560s ⁠© NPG⁠
🎨Sir Thomas Gresham by Unknown Netherlandish artist, circa 1565 © NPG⁠
🎨 Thomas Wentworth, 1st Baron Wentworth by Unknown Anglo-Netherlandish artist, circa 1547-1550 © NPG