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.

Advanced Collection search

Search the Collection

Directors of the National Portrait Gallery


10 People in group

Sandy Robert Nairne

Sandy Robert Nairne

1953-
Former director of the National Portrait Gallery
Sitter in 5 portraits
Sir Charles Robert Saumarez Smith

Sir Charles Robert Saumarez Smith

1954-
Art historian; Director of the National Portrait Gallery
Sitter in 14 portraits | Artist of 1 portrait
Sir George Scharf

Sir George Scharf

1820-1895
Artist and art historian; first Director of the National Portrait Gallery
Sitter in 79 portraits | Artist associated with 587 portraits
Sir Roy Strong

Sir Roy Strong

1935-
Art historian and museum director; Director of the National Portrait Gallery
Sitter associated with 22 portraits
Charles Kingsley Adams

Charles Kingsley Adams

1899-1971
Director of the National Portrait Gallery
Sitter in 1 portrait | Artist associated with 3 portraits
Sir Lionel Henry Cust

Sir Lionel Henry Cust

1859-1929
Art historian; Director of the National Portrait Gallery
Sitter in 3 portraits
Sir Henry Hake

Sir Henry Hake

1892-1951
Art historian; Director of the National Portrait Gallery
Sitter in 2 portraits | Artist associated with 1 portrait
John Trevor Hayes

John Trevor Hayes

1929-2005
Art historian; Director of the National Portrait Gallery
Sitter in 10 portraits
Sir Charles John Holmes

Sir Charles John Holmes

1868-1936
Painter and critic; Director successively of the National Portrait Gallery and the National Gallery
Sitter in 4 portraits | Artist associated with 4 portraits
Sir David Piper

Sir David Piper

1918-1990
Art historian; Director of the National Portrait Gallery
Sitter in 3 portraits