National Portrait Gallery
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The National Portrait Gallery in London contains over 175,000 portraits of British men and women, of historic importance from the 16th century to the present day. It was the first public portrait gallery in the world.
All Types of Portraits
A visit to the National Portrait Gallery today reveals that apart from the impressive collection of portraits spanning the centuries, the gallery also includes sculpture, miniatures, drawings, sketches, photographs, prints and multi-media installations.
History lovers may want to make a start in the Permanent Collection section where you can move from one room to the next chronologically.
The main stairway reveals a collection effigies of British monarchs, which date to the 13th century.
Henry and his Wives
In the Tudor section there are portraits of Henry
Kings and Civil War
On show in the Stuart Portraits and Civil War collection, you will find King James I of England and VI of Scotland, the Kings Charles I and II, Oliver Cromwell, John Evelyn, Samuel Pepys and a delightful childhood portrait of Prince James Francis Edward Stuart with Princess Louisa Maria Theresa Stuart.
Georgian, Victorian & Edwardian
The Georgian and Regency period displays portraits of Queen Anne,Sarah Churchill Duchess of Marlborough and her husband John Churchill 1st Duke of Marlborough, Samuel Johnson, a self portrait of Sir Joshua Reynolds, King George I, James Cook, Emma, Lady Hamilton and Horatio Nelson, to name but a few.
Victorian and Edwardian portraits include Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, The Bronte sisters Anne, Emily and Charlotte by Patrick Branwell Bronte, William Wordsworth, Lewis Carroll, Charles Dickens and Virginia Woolf.
Coming up to Date
Progressing into the 20th Century among others are Queen Elizabeth II, who is included
There is also a section of contemporary portraits from 1990 to the present day. Included here are Sir Bobby Charlton, Harold Pinter, Alan Rickman, Glenda Jackson, Darcey Bussell, Diana Princess of Wales with her sons, Alan Bennett, P.D. James, fun portraits of Delia Smith and George Melly.
Workshops, Gallery Sessions and Events
The National Portrait Gallery offer free Gallery sessions, workshops and support digital resources for Primary, Secondary and SEN schools.
There are also free weekend and holiday events for children 3 years and over and their families; including family art workshops and storytelling.
The young persons programme of sessions, workshops and a youth forum is dedicated to working with 14 - 21 year olds outside of school.
A Distinguished History
The Gallery was founded in 1858 by Philip Henry Stanhope, 5th Earl Stanhope and his compatriots Thomas Carlisle and Thomas
For the first forty years of its existence the Portrait Gallery was housed in a building in Great George Street, moving premises a few times until the government provided a new site in St. Martins Place alongside the National Gallery.
With the gift of funding from William Henry Alexander the philanthropist, the architect Ewan Christian was commissioned to design the current building, which was faced in Portland stone, with the busts of the three founders above the entrance. This original building has since been expanded twice.
Gallery Shop
An interesting shop, which stocks a wide range of gifts, books, CDs and DVDs, Jewellery, Greeting Cards, Postcards, Posters and Prints. Fun and interesting items for children are not forgotten. Please note the shop closes promptly as just as the galleries are closed.
Portrait Café, and Portrait Restaurant & Bar
The Portrait Cafe is a contemporary space, which serves light meals and snacks.
The roof-top Portrait Restaurant has one of the best views over London and offers some of the finest British food.
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Directions |
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National Portrait Gallery Postcode for SatNav: WC2H 0HE
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Days Out near National Portrait Gallery
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National Gallery (<1 Mile)*
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Nelson's Column (<1 Mile)*
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Trafalgar Square (<1 Mile)*
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The Household Cavalry Museum (<1 Mile)*
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Churchill War Rooms (1 Mile)*
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10 Downing Street (1 Mile)*
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Westminster Abbey (1 Mile)*
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British Museum (1 Mile)*
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Coca-Cola London Eye (1 Mile)*
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Big Ben (1 Mile)*
Places to Visit near National Portrait Gallery
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London (<1 Mile)*
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Bloomsbury (1 Mile)*
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London Borough of Islington (2 Miles)*
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City of London (2 Miles)*
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London Borough of Southwark (3 Miles)*
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London Borough of Camden (3 Miles)*
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London Borough of Lambeth (4 Miles)*
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London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (4 Miles)*
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Notting Hill (4 Miles)*
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London Borough of Haringey (6 Miles)*
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