Subjects and themes
To help visitors explore the Gallery's collections every portrait digitised is keyworded at the Gallery by subject, with five main categories: accessory, activity, dress, genre and theme. Some individual keywords in each category are illustrated with a selection of portraits below. To explore the full list of keywords in each category and the full set of portraits keyworded in each category, go to the Subjects and Themes section under Portrait in Advanced Search.

Accessory
Objects and other elements within the portrait (examples: art, books, clocks, flowers, maps, mirrors, pets and textiles).

Activity
What sitters are doing (examples: dancing, eating and drinking, making art and music, reading, sleeping and writing).