Archive Journeys

For the first time, the National Portrait Gallery is starting to provide online access to parts of its fascinating Archive. These journeys focus on three remarkable periods in the Gallery’s history: the life and work of the first Director, Sir George Scharf, its wartime activities and digital 60s.

 

Sir George Scharf by John James Fisher Ax13957 - &copy National Portrait Gallery

Sir George Scharf (1820-1895): Father of the National Portrait Gallery and Victorian Socialite

Sir George Scharf was the Gallery’s first Director. Appointed in 1857, shortly after the institution was founded, he held the post for nearly 40 years. He worked almost single handedly to establish the Gallery we know today. Scharf’s extensive archive includes diaries, sketchbooks and a wealth of other material. It presents a unique resource for both the study of portraits and portraiture and British life in the Victorian period. 

Take a glimpse into the life and work of this remarkable man

1932 WW2 room of empty frames, © EMPICS

The National Portrait Gallery at War (1914-1918 and 1939-1945): How the Gallery kept calm and carried on in wartime

During both the First and Second World Wars the Gallery, because of its central location, was vulnerable to enemy attack.  To ensure the safety of the Collection, the portraits were evacuated. The buildings suffered damage from air-raids. Staff made every effort to maintain business as usual in exceptional circumstances. Documents and photographs in the National Portrait Gallery’s Archive bring this extraordinary period to life.

Take a behind-the-scenes look at the Gallery’s wartime experiences

Poster advertising Cecil Beaton Portraits 1928-1968 exhibition, 1968

Digital ‘60s: Digitising a decade of defining history at the National Portrait Gallery – a CQP project

The 1960s brought about a revolution at the National Portrait Gallery. From its first major temporary exhibition, to the changing of the ‘10 year rule’, and with the appointment of Director Roy Strong, the Gallery was watered from new and exciting directions and bloomed beautifully over the course of the decade. We have selected some particularly interesting material from the Gallery Archive to accompany this journey through the ‘60s.

Take a look into the defining history of Digital '60s