National Portrait Gallery, London

London | UK

The National Portrait Gallery was established with the criteria that the Gallery was to be about history, not about art, and about the status of the sitter, rather than the quality or character of a particular image considered as a work of art. This criterion is still used by the Gallery today when deciding which works enter the National Portrait Gallery's collection.

The Primary Collection contains more than 11,000 portraits. Of these about 4,000 are paintings, sculptures and miniatures, approaching 60% of which are regularly displayed, with the intention to show a further selection. In addition, there are almost 7,000 light-sensitive works on paper, shown on a rotating basis of about 300 items a year to avoid excessive light exposure and thus to minimise deterioration and fading.

Current exhibitions

Lines of Feeling: Portrait Drawing Now

National Portrait Gallery, London

London | UK

Jan 16, 2025 - Jan 04, 2026

Cecil Beaton’s Fashionable World

National Portrait Gallery, London

London | UK

Oct 09, 2025 - Jan 11, 2026

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Articles

Catherine Opie: To Be Seen

Dec 16, 2025

Created in close collaboration with the artist, Catherine Opie: To Be Seen will bring together works spanning 30 years of Opie’s pioneering career.

National Portrait Gallery to stage the UK's first major museum exhibition showcasing the work of Catherine Opie

Dec 09, 2025

This exhibition of photographic portraits by American artist Catherine Opie will be the first major museum exhibition of her work to be shown in the UK.

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Contact details

Sunday - Wednesday

10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Thursday - Friday

10:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Saturday

10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Saint Martin's Place London, UK WC2H 0HE