London’s National Portrait Gallery reopened recently following the most extensive transformation of its building since 1896.
Along with a major refurbishment, new public spaces have been made and there has been a complete redisplay of the Gallery’s collection, described as the “the world’s greatest collection of portraits”.
Visitors are taken on a journey through history, starting at the Middle Ages through to the present day. From Holbein’s majestic drawing of Henry VIII to Sam Taylor Johnson’s film of David Beckham sleeping, the Gallery has also commissioned, acquired and borrowed new works to present a wider selection of people and stories.
A key aim of the project was to present an inclusive and dynamic picture of the people who have contributed to the rich history of the United Kingdom. Initiatives including Reframing Narratives: Women in Portraiture with CHANEL Culture Fund have enabled the NPG to enhance and increase representation. Now, almost half of the portraits in the 20th and 21st century galleries are of women, and through acquisitions such as Sir Joshua Reynold’s Portrait of Mai (Omai) and Everlyn Nicodemus’ self-portrait, the Gallery is taking positive steps to increase the number of portraits showing diverse sitters.
Cross-period displays highlight themes and connections through history, including a room dedicated to life and death masks from William Wordsworth to Tracey Emin. And there is a new focus on photography, ranging from historic daguerrotypes and Victorian carte-de-visites to contemporary images such as Kae Tempest by Wolfgang Tillmans. Gillian Wearing’s Me as Julia Margaret Cameron unites the two.
Over 1,100 portraits are now on display, an increase of over a third from pre-closure. This has been enabled by a complete refurbishment and reconsideration of the Grade I listed building led by Jamie Fobert Architects alongside heritage architects Purcell. The Gallery’s curatorial team have worked with interpretation designers Nissen Richards Studio on a new scheme.
The new Mildred and Simon Palley Learning Centre has more than doubled the Gallery’s provision for learners.
Two major exhibitions mark the reopening milestone. Yevonde: Life and Colour, supported by CHANEL Culture Fund, explores the life and career of the 20th century photographer, Yevonde, who pioneered the use of colour photography in the 1930s. And Paul McCartney Photographs 1963-1964: Eyes of the Storm which, for the first time, shares an extraordinary archive of rediscovered and never-before-seen photographs taken by the legendary songwriter and musician.
David Ross, Chair, National Portrait Gallery Board of Trustees, said:
“From our transformed learning space to the wonderful Weston Wing restored to public gallery space after 25 years, the Collection rehang to our fabulous new entrance and hugely exciting new hospitality areas, the NPG has been reimagined and will now welcome visitors from every corner of our country and all over the world. The project will make portraiture accessible to many who might not have previously thought it was for them.”
The new National Portait Gallery has been made possible by major grants from the Blavatnik Family Foundation, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Garfield Weston Foundation and the Ross Foundation.
For further information: npg.org.uk
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Image: The Contemporary Collection in The Mary Weston Gallery in The Weston Wing at the National Portrait Gallery, London. Photo © David Parry