National Portrait Gallery
At the National Portrait Gallery, we tell the story of Britain through portraits, using art to bring history to life and explore living today.
We look after the world’s greatest collection of portraits. Spanning six centuries, our artworks reveal the inspiring and sometimes surprising personal stories that have shaped, and continue to shape a nation - from global icons to local champions, national treasures to unsung heroes.
Discover videos including sitter and artist interviews, behind the scenes stories, and insights from curators.
Creating Tahitian Tapa
An interview with Alistair Morrison
As Simple as Breathing by Serena Brown
Artist in focus: Peter Brathwaite
Installing Henry VIII's Armour for Field and Tournament | Behind the Scenes at NPG
History explainer: who was Toussaint L'Ouverture?
Installing a costume from SIX The Musical | Behind the Scenes at NPG
Faces and Places
Access at the National Portrait Gallery
Bella Freud | Lucian Freud's Sketchbooks
Frank Paul | Lucian Freud's Sketchbooks
Welcome to the National Portrait Gallery | What to expect from your school visit
Installing Thomas J Price’s ‘As Sounds Turn To Noise’ | Behind the Scenes at NPG
Alessandro Raho on his portrait of Dame Judi Dench
David Hockney: Drawing from Life
Designing the walls of the new National Portrait Gallery
Celebrating Contemporary Welsh Identity with Glynn Vivian Art Gallery – Working With Young People
The story of Charles I's trial and execution - told through his portrait miniature
Pandora’s wine box by Tom Denbigh | A poem about the industrial revolution
Who was Toussaint L'Ouverture? | Iconic Individuals
What makes a great museum shop? with Compton Verney and Hay Castle