The Gallery holds the most extensive collection of portraits in the world. Search over 215,000 works, 150,000 of which are illustrated from the 16th Century to the present day.

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Plasticine

Plasticine is a putty like modelling material which unlike other types of modelling clay does not dry out with exposure to air, cannot be hardened by firing. Composed of calcium salts, petroleum jelly long-chain aliphatic acids (principally stearic acid, it is non-toxic, soft and malleable meaning it can both retain it's shape and be reshaped again and again.

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Visit From Your Armchair

Self-portrait as My Father from the series Encounter by Silvia Rosi © Silvia Rosi

Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize

An online exhibition celebrating the very best in contemporary portrait photography.

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Hold Still

Hold Still

Explore our community photography project, which presents a personal record of the UK during lockdown.

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Margaret Thatcher by Spitting Images Productions Ltd painted plastic, 1985

Sculptures in 360°

See sculptures and fascinating objects from our Collection from all angles.

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David Hockney: Drawing from Life

Watch highlights from our special exhibition, which had to close early in March 2020 due to lockdown.

See the video