Following a three-year refurbishment, you can now follow the story of Britain through historic and contemporary art once again, with greater attention to women and ethnic communities in the rehang...
As one of the world’s major museums, the National Portrait Gallery has been sorely missed during its three-year closure (we can’t believe it’s been that long, either). But its time away has not gone to waste, as a £41 million renovation and thoughtful rehang of its permanent exhibits has brought vigour to its previously dated display. In fact, it has been the Gallery’s most transformative makeover since it first opened in 1896.
Before you step into its bright and roomy new Ross Place entrance, you can get a sense of the museum’s new direction. Its grand bronze doors have had its 45 panels etched into by artist Tracey Emin, with the portraits described to represent ‘every woman, throughout time'.
Once inside, you’re greeted by a group of stone and metal sculptures staring at you. All except one, that is. Reaching Out by Thomas J Price (2021) depicts a full-length person staring down at her smartphone, representing the modern and ordinary people of today. She's also a black woman: the NPG has been working to increase the presence of Britain's ethnic minority communities as you wander through its galleries.
Anna Wintour portrait by Alex Krantz is the centre piece for the History Makers collection (Jessica Reid)
Hans Holbein’s King Henry VII (Jessica Reid)
The modern-day feel continues on the ground floor with a new collection titled 'History Makers Now'. Here, around two dozen portraits cluster together to create a feature wall of some of Britain’s most influential names from the 21st-century, while also shining a light on unsung heroes. It begins with an enormous and realistic portrait of King Charles III, while a full-length painting of the Duke and Duchess of Wales can be admired further down the wall. Other larger-than-life portraits include a detailed oil canvas of popstar Ed Sheeran (2016). This makes a rather simplistic painting of Vogue’s iconic editor-in-chief Anna Wintour by Alex Krantz (2009) look almost comical, but her demeanour is still captured perfectly.
Once taking the escalator to the third floor, you’ll be transported back to the Tudor era where the journey through British history begins. Although dark and window-less, the paintings are dramatically displayed against a navy wall, and carefully placed to create an easy-to-follow story through time. Hans Holbein’s King Henry VII’s portrait (circa 1536-1537) takes centre stage and is particularly striking.
The historic rooms feel slightly repetitive in style, but do address social and political areas of history, including colonialism across the world. Purchased by the NPG and Los Angeles’ Getty Museum last year, Joshua Reynold’s Portrait of Mai (1776) is one of the most prominent additions in the midst of the 18th-century room.
Yevonde's pioneering colour photography is now on display (Jessica Reid)
Work by David Hockney, Chantal Joffe and others can be seen in the new West Wing (Jessica Reid)
The new West Wing is not to be missed. Previously office space, it may feel slightly ‘pokier’ compared to the larger galleries, but it is one of the building's best rooms due to the natural light flooding through its windows. Here, you’ll find a collection dedicated to the self-portraiture of women, many of which challenge the male gaze and present womanhood in unconventional ways. Moving onto the next room, you’ll find a further collection of contemporary portraits of people who make an impact on our life today, with royalty on show once again with a heart-warming photograph of the late Queen and Prince Philip. But Chantal Joffe’s self-portrait with her daughter Esme (2008) steals most visitor's attention here.
There’s plenty art to be admired throughout the NPG, with walls filled of important faces throughout the 20th century, from pop stars to politicians. Alongside its permanent collections, the Gallery’s first major exhibition to mark its reopening takes a look at the work of 20th-century female photographer Yevonde – a pioneer of colour photography. From the 28 June, never-seen-before photos of the Beatles, captured by Paul McCartney, will also be exhibited.
As is evident, diversity is the driving force behind the gallery’s transformation, most notably using more portraits of women in its 20th-21st century galleries (up 18% since pre-closure). According to the NPG opening press release, the main 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’. This rehang certainly felt like a breath of fresh air.
The National Portrait Gallery reopened to the public on Thursday 22 June.
Get the very best of Wanderlust by signing up to our newsletters, full of travel inspiration, fun quizzes, exciting competitions and exclusive offers.