Picture Descriptions and Touch Tours at the National Portrait Gallery

The National Portrait Gallery offers picture descriptions called ‘Visualising Portraits' for Blind and Partially Sighted Visitors on the last Thursday of each month from 2 to 3.30 pm.

Each session takes place in the gallery, seated in front of the painting whilst experienced artists and describers give a detailed verbal description of a particular work from the collection. Each month we focus on a different portrait, from the famous to the infamous!

Large-scale images and tactile resources are available for all, and sighted escorts and guide dogs are very welcome.

The sessions are free. For more information and to book a place please contact the Access and Outreach Assistant on 020 7306 0055 ext 387 or e-mail outreach@npg.org.uk.

Please find below a list of the portraits we will be looking at in 2009. We will meet you at 2pm by the Information Desk in the Main Hall on the day of the event.


27 August 14.00-15.30
The poet and visionary William Blake                                   

William Blake, by Thomas Phillips, 1807 - NPG 212 - © National Portrait Gallery, London

William Blake
by Thomas Phillips
1807
NPG 212


24 September 14.00 -15.30
The painter and sculptor George Frederic Watts              

George Frederic Watts, by George Frederic Watts, circa 1860 - NPG 5087 - © National Portrait Gallery, London

George Frederic Watts
by George Frederic Watts
circa 1860
NPG 5087


29 October 14.00-15.30
Famous children's author and illustrator Beatrix Potter

Beatrix Potter (Mrs Heelis), by Delmar Banner, 1938 - NPG 3635 - © National Portrait Gallery, London

Beatrix Potter (Mrs Heelis)
by Delmar Banner
1938
NPG 3635


26 November 14.00-15.30
The artist Sir Eduardo Luigi Paolozzi                                     

Sir Eduardo Luigi Paolozzi, by Sir Eduardo Luigi Paolozzi, 1987 - NPG 5952 - photograph © National Portrait Gallery, London

Sir Eduardo Luigi Paolozzi
by Sir Eduardo Luigi Paolozzi
1987
NPG 5952


17 December 14.00-15.30
Elizabeth, Queen of Bohemia, The  Winter queen            

Elizabeth, Queen of Bohemia, by Robert Peake the Elder, circa 1610 - NPG 6113 - © National Portrait Gallery, London

Elizabeth, Queen of Bohemia
by Robert Peake the Elder
circa 1610
NPG 6113


Touch Tours in the gallery are also available on request and include works from three of our most popular galleries - the Victorian, the Early and the Late Twentieth century galleries. For more information or to book a touch tour please contact the Access and Outreach Assistant on 020 7306 0055 ext 387 or e-mail outreach@npg.org.uk, giving a minimum of three weeks notice. The tours are free and individuals and groups are both welcome.