Gift titles
100 Portraits
This richly-illustrated souvenir book presents a selection of 100 works from the collections of the National Portrait Gallery, London.
100 Pioneering Women
This richly illustrated gift book presents 100 pioneering women from the Collection of the National Portrait Gallery, London. From Elizabeth I to Zaha Hadid, this book celebrates the accomplishments of women throughout history, highlighting not only well-known pioneers but also women whose stories have been forgotten.
100 Photographs
This richly illustrated gift book presents 100 photographic highlights from the Collection of the National Portrait Gallery, London. Focusing on a diverse range of photographers, it chronicles the journey of photography, through images by Julia Margaret Cameron and Camille Silvy to David LaChapelle and Wolfgang Tillmans.
Jane Austen and her World
The unmarried younger daughter of a country vicar, she published her novels anonymously. When she died, aged only 41 – having earned less than £700 from her writing – her name was still almost unknown to the world at large. That two centuries after her death she should be one of the best--known and best--loved authors in the English language is one of history’s greater ironies.
Charles Dickens and his Circle
Historian and writer Lucinda Hawksley explores the life of her great-great-great-grandfather, Charles Dickens – one of the first people to whom the term ‘celebrity’ in its modern sense was applied, and whose extensive circle of friends and associates embraced many of the most eminent and influential figures of the Victorian age.
Pepys and his Contemporaries
The National Portrait Gallery’s series of compact, fully illustrated, historical guides to literary and artistic personalities and themes. Written by well-known contemporary authors, they examine the lives, thoughts and relationships within each selected group through works from the Gallery’s Collection.
Shakespeare and his Contemporaries
The National Portrait Gallery’s series of compact, fully illustrated, historical guides to literary and artistic personalities and themes. Written by well-known contemporary authors, they examine the lives, thoughts and relationships within each selected group through works from the Gallery’s Collection.
Moustaches, Whiskers & Beards
Since time immemorial, men have grown, trimmed, shaped and used the hair on their faces to make social, religious and fashion statements. The National Portrait Gallery holds hundreds of images of bearded, whiskered and moustached men (as well as the occasional bearded woman).
First World War Poets
The National Portrait Gallery’s series of compact, fully illustrated, historical guides to literary and artistic personalities and themes. Written by well-known contemporary authors, they examine the lives, thoughts and relationships within each selected group through works from the Gallery’s Collection.
Tennyson and his Circle
The National Portrait Gallery’s series of compact, fully illustrated, historical guides to literary and artistic personalities and themes. Written by well-known contemporary authors, they examine the lives, thoughts and relationships within each selected group through works from the Gallery’s Collection.
Oscar Wilde and his Circle
One of literature’s most witty personalities, Oscar Wilde captivated London society. In this perceptive appraisal of Wilde and those around him – including Aubrey Beardsley, Sir Max Beerbohm and Wilde’s lover, Lord Alfred Douglas (‘Bosie’) – Simon Callow captures the spirit of one of Britain’s most feted, but ultimately tragic literary figures.
The Bloomsbury Group
At the beginning of the twentieth century, the Bloomsbury Group transformed British culture with their innovative approach to art, design and society. In this book Frances Spalding presents over twenty fascinating biographies, all of which are illustrated with paintings and intimate photographs created by members of the group.
The Pre-Raphaelite Circle
The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood lent its name to one of the most significant and innovative artistic movements of the Victorian age. Jan Marsh’s lively and revealing account of these remarkable men and women explores the individual personalities,the close friendships and the artistic force that bound this diverse group together.
The Romantic Poets and their Circle
The ideal of the ‘inspired’ artist owes its origin to the figures of the Romantic period, who revolutionised English art and literature. In this book, Richard Holmes explores the portraits and lives of such key poets as Lord Byron, Percy Bysshe Shelley and John Keats, and assesses the impact of their work on contemporary culture and society.
Visit From Your Armchair
Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize
An online exhibition celebrating the very best in contemporary portrait photography.
Hold Still
Explore our community photography project, which presents a personal record of the UK during lockdown.
Sculptures in 360°
See sculptures and fascinating objects from our Collection from all angles.
David Hockney: Drawing from Life
Watch highlights from our special exhibition, which had to close early in March 2020 due to lockdown.
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