National Portrait Gallery

03/09/2026

‘It isn't simple with Marilyn. Nothing is." - Sam Shaw

Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait comes to an end this Sunday, 6 September.

Guarantee your entry with Membership: https://www.npg.org.uk/members/

📸 Marilyn Monroe, Roxbury, Connecticut, 1957 by Sam Shaw. Photo by Sam Shaw © 2026 Sam Shaw Inc.

01/09/2026

Do you keep a diary? 📖

Our theme for this month’s series is writers. We're starting with Samuel Pepys who was famed for his remarkable diary where he documented everything from the Great Fire of London to details of his private life (including his infidelities). His diary documenting Restoration London from 1660-1669 was never intended for publication... imagine if all your secrets were spilled!

You can find this portrait in Room 6, on Floor 3 of the Gallery.

🎨 Samuel Pepys by John Hayls, 1666 © National Portrait Gallery, London

31/08/2026

Ever wondered about an artist’s creative process? 🧑‍🎨

Bryan Organ, who created this portrait of Princess Diana, was born . Organ started studying art in Loughborough, and has gone on to paint many notable figures, including Elton John, Sir David Attenborough and Prince Charles.

Contemporary Curator Tanya Bentley spoke to Organ about this portrait and his career in episode two of the ‘Understanding British Portraits Podcast’ on Spotify.

Listen here: https://brnw.ch/21x5k19

Find this portrait in Room 28 on Floor 2.

🎨 Diana, Princess of Wales by Bryan Organ, 1981 © National Portrait Gallery, London

30/08/2026

Mary Shelly was born 1797, but do you know why she is famous?

Join Katy Hessel as she looks closer at this portrait in Room 17 on Floor 3.

🎨Mary Shelley by Richard Rothwell, circa 1831-1840 © National Portrait Gallery, London

29/08/2026

Lost, deep in thought 🌊

Have you had time to think about your favourite portrait in this year's Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award yet? If you haven’t already, you can vote for your winner in the Visitor Choice Award, for the chance to win a luxury oil painting set and a three-course set menu and drinks for four at Larry’s Bar.

Find out more via our website: https://brnw.ch/21x5iRO

🎨The Waves by Thomas Ehretsmann, 2025 © Thomas Ehretsmann 🎨 Matthew by Angela Classi, 2025 © Angela Classi 🎨 Dark Passenger by Caroline Pool, 2024 © Caroline Pool 🎨 I’m not gonna straighten my hair by Zena Assi, 2025 © Zena Assi 🎨 Genealogical Deformation by Algirdas and Remigijus Gataveckas, 2025 © Algirdas and Remigijus Gataveckas

28/08/2026

How well do you know Monroe?  
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Join Genevieve Gaunt for a quick-fire quiz in Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait. 
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It’s your last chance to see this exhibition! Closing on 6 September 2026.  

📸 Marilyn Monroe by Jack Cardiff, 1957 (printed later), © Mason Cardiff and Simon Regan 📸 Marilyn Monroe, Roxbury, Connecticut, 1957 by Sam Shaw. Photo by Sam Shaw © 2026 Sam Shaw Inc 🎨 The Only Blonde in the World, 1963, Pauline Boty, , © The Estate of Pauline Boty 📸 LIFE magazine © reserved 📸 The Last Interview by Allan Grant © 1962 MM LLC

27/08/2026

This portrait was painted on the sitter's third and final voyage ⚓

Today’s is of James Cook, who circumnavigated the globe leading three voyages of scientific discovery between 1768 and 1779. His expeditions initiated future generations of British colonisation in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, in which many Indigenous people lost their lands and lives.

🎨 James Cook by John Webber, 1776 © National Portrait Gallery, London

26/08/2026

Who's your idol?

There are plenty of portraits to pick from in our Collection, but here’s Rob Bryden’s choice 😊

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYtWYNYSitc

📸 Barry Humphries by Lord Snowdon. Given by Antony Charles Robert Armstrong Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon, 2013 © Armstrong Jones
🎥 and featuring for

This Celebration Day we remember the people who made us who we are ...

26/08/2026

Can you guess the breed of dog in this portrait? 🐕

This International Dog Day, we’re highlighting a portrait of Mary of Modena with her pet pooch. She was the daughter of an Italian duke and went on to become the second wife of James, Duke of York (later James II). Mary originally wanted to become a nun but was persuaded by Pope Clement X that her energy would be better spent supporting Catholicism in Britain. Find this portrait in Room 7 on Floor 3.

🎨 Mary of Modena by Willem Wissing, circa 1685 © National Portrait Gallery, London

22/08/2026

Is anyone else longing for a change in season? 🥶

Today’s features a sitter who ventured to some of the coldest parts of the globe... Arctic explorer, diplomat, and Royal Navy Officer, Sir John Ross made his first voyage in search of the Northwest Passage to China in 1818. However, it took him a few goes... On his first attempt, Ross turned back as he believed his path was blocked by mountains – which were later revealed to be a mere optical illusion.

Find this portrait in Room 18 on Floor 3.

🎨 Sir John Ross by James Green, 1833 © National Portrait Gallery, London