Introduction to the Primary Collection
The Gallery's collecting policy and the purpose of the Collection, and its display in London and beyond the Gallery.
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Explore 160,000 portraits from the 16th Century to the present day.
Selected archive documents relating to Primary Collection portraits
Notes by artists and letters to and from sitters from the 17th Century to the present day relating to portraits within the Collection.
Commissions
Commissioning of paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs and works in mixed media over the last 25 years.
Offering a portrait to the National Portrait Gallery
A guide to offering a portrait as a gift or purchase for the Collection
Conservation
Fulfilling the long-term preservation of all collection items in order to make them accessible now and in the future.
