Search the Collection

National Photographic Record: prints by Godfrey Argent, 1967-70


788 Portraits in set

The National Photographic Record began in 1917, during the First World War, at the instigation of Walter Stoneman, the chief photographer for the long established firm of Russell & Sons. A selected range of eminent people of the day were invited to make an appointment to sit at Stoneman's studio and from each sitting a mounted print was added to the NPR. Reproduction fees from the publication of any of these photographs were shared between the photographer and the National Portrait Gallery. The collection was made for record purposes only, with no intention of the results being exhibited. Despite controversy caused by working exclusively with one selected photographer, the collection of postcard-sized prints of eminent people of the day grew over the years to an archive of over 10,000 subjects. Each year approximately 200 new subjects were added to an alphabetical sequence now housed in 436 boxes and viewable by appointment. Stoneman was succeeded, on his retirement and death, by Walter Bird (active 1958-1967), and then by Godfrey Argent (active 1967-1970). In addition, the Gallery also holds approximately 10,000 NPR whole- and half-plate glass negatives taken between 1917 and 1958, arranged chronologically, which consist of up to five alternative poses taken at the NPR sitting.

List Thumbnail

Walter Bird, by Godfrey Argent - NPG x165813

Walter Bird

by Godfrey Argent
modern bromide print from original negative, 1966
NPG x165813

Leo Abse, by Godfrey Argent - NPG x163400

Leo Abse

by Godfrey Argent
bromide print, 13 December 1967
NPG x163400

Learie Constantine, by Godfrey Argent - NPG x21932

Learie Constantine

by Godfrey Argent
bromide print, 1 November 1967
NPG x21932

Sir William Haley, by Godfrey Argent - NPG x17227

Sir William Haley

by Godfrey Argent
bromide print, 9 November 1967
NPG x17227

Ian Murray Hurrell, by Godfrey Argent - NPG x18683

Ian Murray Hurrell

by Godfrey Argent
bromide print, 24 November 1967
NPG x18683

Sir Julian Huxley, by Godfrey Argent - NPG x12108

Sir Julian Huxley

by Godfrey Argent
bromide print, 22 November 1967
NPG x12108

Sir Arthur James Irvine, by Godfrey Argent - NPG x18687

Sir Arthur James Irvine

by Godfrey Argent
bromide print, 23 November 1967
NPG x18687