J.K. Rowling
(1965-), WriterJoanne Kathleen ('J.K.') Rowling
Sitter in 8 portraits
Author of the Harry Potter series, Rowling has said that the characters and plot of the first novel came to her 'fully formed' during a train journey in 1990. She began writing shortly afterwards, having moved to Portugal to teach English. Later, as a single mother living in Edinburgh, she continued working on the manuscript in longhand. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (1997) is the first of seven books - one for each year Potter spends at Hogwarts school of magic. Captivating both children and adults, the books have been translated into 79 languages, sold over 250 million copies and been made into major feature films. Numerous literary awards include the Whitbread Award for Best Children's Book.
by Stuart Pearson Wright
pencil with charcoal underlay, 2004
NPG 6745(13)
by Stuart Pearson Wright
oil on board construction with coloured pencil on paper, 2005
NPG 6723
by Stuart Pearson Wright
charcoal, 2005
NPG 6745(12)
acrylic on paper collaged on panels, 2021-2022
On display in Room 33 on Floor 0 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 7145
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Joanne Kathleen ('J.K.') Rowling
by Rafael Fuchs
chromogenic print, 1999
NPG x200154
Preparatory sketch for J.K. Rowling
by Stuart Pearson Wright
pencil on three sheets of paper pasted and taped together, 2004-2005
NPG D42713
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