The National Portrait Gallery was founded in 1856, and moved to its present location in 1896.
The gallery was founded with the purpose of bringing together the portraits of some of the gretest names in British History. Such portraits to consist as far as possible of those persons who are most honourably commemorated in British History as warriors or as statesmen, or in arts, in literature or in science.
The collection includes paintings, drawings, sculptures, caracatures, and photographs. The portraits in the museum's collection are not selected for their artistic value but for the historical importance of the sitter (person portrayed).
The collection covers the Tutor period through to contemporary portraits of such notables as J. K. Rowling, Margaret Thatcher, Ian McKellen, Richard Branson, Paul McCartney and Iris Murdoch.
One of the galleries most famous, and most visited portraits, is the 'Chandos' portrait of William Shakespeare, one of the most recognisable images of the great playwright, and the very first portrait to be offered to the gallery.
Opening times
Open daily 10:00-18:00
Late Night: Thu & Fri until 9pm
Closed 24-26 December.
Prices
The National Portrait Gallery is Free to all visitors.
(A charge may be made for temporary exhibitions)
Location
The National Portrait Gallery
St Martin's Place
London WC2H 0HE
Telephone: 020 7312 2463 (Recorded Information)
Tube: Charing Cross & Leicester Square
External link
Official Portrait National Gallery Web Site
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