Sir Charles Robert Saumarez Smith
(1954-), Art historian; Director of the National Portrait GallerySitter in 14 portraits
Artist of 1 portrait
Saumarez Smith was educated at King's College, Cambridge. Following a Fellowship at Harvard and research at the Warburg Institute he joined the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1982 as an Assistant Keeper responsible for the V&A/RCA MA Course in the History of Design. He became Director of the National Portrait Gallery in 1994 and his success has seen the new Ondaatje Wing built and existing galleries refurbished. This combined with a programme of popular and academic exhibitions, has seen visitor numbers increase to more than 1.4 million. In 2002 he succeeded Neil MacGregor as Director of the National Gallery and is currently Secretary and Chief Executive of the Royal Academy of Arts.
by Sir Charles Robert Saumarez Smith
resin print, circa 1995
NPG x87732
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