Upcoming

Past

About

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.

We are also passionate about portraiture, always progressing our art form, championing artists and encouraging creativity. We celebrate the power of portraiture to create person-to-person connections and the experiences we provide offer encounters with some of the world’s greatest artists as well as the very best in contemporary art.

Accessibility & facilities

Step-free access
Accessible toilet
Baby changing facilities
Assistive audio
Large print guides
Book shop
Cafe
Cloakroom