Primary Collection
The Primary Collection contains more than 11,000 portraits. Of these about 4,000 are paintings, sculptures and miniatures, approaching 60% of which are regularly displayed, with the intention to show a further selection. In addition, there are almost 7,000 light-sensitive works on paper, shown on a rotating basis of about 300 items a year to avoid excessive light exposure and thus to minimise deterioration and fading.
Introduction
The Gallery's collecting policy and the purpose of the Collection, and its display in London and beyond the Gallery.
Search the collection
Search by sitter or artist surname within over 200,000 portraits.
Commissions
Commissioning of paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs and works in mixed media over the last 25 years.
Conservation
Fulfilling the long-term preservation of all collection items in order to make them accessible now and in the future.
Visit the Collected Archives
Archive material that has been acquired by the Gallery from external sources because of its relevance to the study of British portraiture.
Selected archive documents relating to Primary Collection portraits
Selected archive documents relating to Primary Collection portraits
Pre-18th Century portraits
18th Century and Regency portraits
Victorian portraits
20th Century portraits
Collected Archives