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

Britannia

, Allegory of a nation, emblem of empire, and patriotic icon

Sitter associated with 29 portraits

Tell us More

 Like voting
is closed

Thanks for Liking

Please Like other favourites!
If they inspire you please support our work.

Make a donation

List Thumbnail

O Fair Britannia Hail, by Giovanni Battista Cipriani - NPG D47439

O Fair Britannia Hail

by Giovanni Battista Cipriani
etching, 1760
NPG D47439

King George III, by Thomas Rowlandson, published by I. Jones - NPG D12289

King George III

by Thomas Rowlandson, published by I. Jones
hand-coloured etching, published 10 December 1781
NPG D12289

'Britania's assassination. Or the Repulicans amusement', by James Gillray, published by Elizabeth d'Achery - NPG D12305

'Britania's assassination. Or the Repulicans amusement'

by James Gillray, published by Elizabeth d'Achery
hand-coloured etching, published 10 May 1782
NPG D12305

'Rodney invested - or - Admiral Pig on a cruize' (George Bridges Rodney, 1st Baron Rodney; Hugh Pigot; Charles James Fox), by James Gillray, published by Elizabeth d'Achery - NPG D12322

'Rodney invested - or - Admiral Pig on a cruize' (George Bridges Rodney, 1st Baron Rodney; Hugh Pigot; Charles James Fox)

by James Gillray, published by Elizabeth d'Achery
hand-coloured etching, published 4 June 1782
NPG D12322

'Britannia', probably by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey - NPG D12421

'Britannia'

probably by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching and aquatint, published 25 June 1791
NPG D12421

'Britannia between Scylla and Charybdis' (Charles James Fox; Joseph Priestley; Richard Brinsley Sheridan; William Pitt; Britannia), by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey - NPG D12475

'Britannia between Scylla and Charybdis' (Charles James Fox; Joseph Priestley; Richard Brinsley Sheridan; William Pitt; Britannia)

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 8 April 1793
NPG D12475

'The genius of France triumphant, - or - Britannia petitioning for peace', by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey - NPG D12517

'The genius of France triumphant, - or - Britannia petitioning for peace'

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching and aquatint, published 2 February 1795
NPG D12517

Britannia ('Design for the naval pillar'), by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey - NPG D13097

Britannia ('Design for the naval pillar')

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching and aquatint, published 1 February 1800
NPG D13097

'The nursery, with Britannia reposing in peace', by and published by James Gillray - NPG D12795

'The nursery, with Britannia reposing in peace'

by and published by James Gillray
hand-coloured etching, published 4 December 1802
NPG D12795

'The first kiss this ten years! - or - the meeting of Britannia and Citizen François', by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey - NPG D12797

'The first kiss this ten years! - or - the meeting of Britannia and Citizen François'

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, soft-ground etching and aquatint, published 1 January 1803
NPG D12797

'Physical aid, - or - Britannia recover'd from a trance; - also, the patriotic courage of Sherry Andrew; & a peep thro' the fog', by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey - NPG D12803

'Physical aid, - or - Britannia recover'd from a trance; - also, the patriotic courage of Sherry Andrew; & a peep thro' the fog'

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 14 March 1803
NPG D12803

John Ray with 'Britannia crowning Ray as the Prince of English Botanists', by William Holl Sr, published by Robert John Thornton, after Thomas Uwins, and after Unknown artist - NPG D34356

John Ray with 'Britannia crowning Ray as the Prince of English Botanists'

by William Holl Sr, published by Robert John Thornton, after Thomas Uwins, and after Unknown artist
stipple engraving, published 1 August 1804
NPG D34356

John Ray with 'Britannia crowning Ray as the Prince of English Botanists', by William Holl Sr, published by Robert John Thornton, after Thomas Uwins, and after Unknown artist - NPG D39221

John Ray with 'Britannia crowning Ray as the Prince of English Botanists'

by William Holl Sr, published by Robert John Thornton, after Thomas Uwins, and after Unknown artist
stipple engraving, published 1 August 1804
NPG D39221

'Britannia between death and the doctor's', by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey - NPG D12830

'Britannia between death and the doctor's'

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 20 May 1804
NPG D12830

'St George and the dragon' (Britannia; Napoléon Bonaparte; King George III), by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey - NPG D13111

'St George and the dragon' (Britannia; Napoléon Bonaparte; King George III)

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching and aquatint, published 2 August 1805
NPG D13111

A Political Fair, by Charles Williams, published by Thomas Tegg, after George Murgatroyd ('Moutard') Woodward - NPG D48635

A Political Fair

by Charles Williams, published by Thomas Tegg, after George Murgatroyd ('Moutard') Woodward
hand-coloured etching, published 1 October 1807
NPG D48635

Britannia ('To the English Ladies'), by Unknown artist - NPG D48076

Britannia ('To the English Ladies')

by Unknown artist
etching, circa 1808 or after
NPG D48076

Britannia Mourning the Loss of her Late Injured Queen, and History Recording her Persecutions and Sufferings, after Unknown artist - NPG D9142

Britannia Mourning the Loss of her Late Injured Queen, and History Recording her Persecutions and Sufferings

after Unknown artist
mezzotint, 1821 or after
NPG D9142

'The Stool of Repentance; the Scorn of the World!!', published by William Benbow - NPG D48677

'The Stool of Repentance; the Scorn of the World!!'

published by William Benbow
hand-coloured etching, published 10 January 1821
NPG D48677

The King Commander in Chief; or, the Upset of the Waterloo-man, Bags & Baggage, by John Phillips, published by George Humphrey - NPG D10676

The King Commander in Chief; or, the Upset of the Waterloo-man, Bags & Baggage

by John Phillips, published by George Humphrey
coloured etching, published 8 May 1827
NPG D10676

Place

Tell us more back to top

Can you tell us more about this person? Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? If you have information to share please complete the form below.

If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. You can buy a print of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at £6 for unframed prints, £25 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, please use our Rights and Images service.

Please note that we cannot provide valuations.

We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.

What can you tell us?close

There are occasions when we are unsure of the identity of a sitter or artist, their life dates, occupation or have not recorded their family relationships. Sometimes we have not recorded the date of a portrait. Do you have specialist knowledge or a particular interest about any aspect of the portrait or sitter or artist that you can share with us? We would welcome any information that adds to and enhances our information and understanding about a particular portrait, sitter or artist.

Citationclose

How do you know this? Please could you let us know your source of information.

* Permission to publish (Privacy information)
Privacy Informationclose

The National Portrait Gallery will NOT use your information to contact you or store for any other purpose than to investigate or display your contribution. By ticking permission to publish you are indicating your agreement for your contribution to be shown on this collection item page. Please note your email address will not be displayed on the page nor will it be used for any marketing material or promotion of any kind.

Please ensure your comments are relevant and appropriate. Your contributions must be polite and with no intention of causing trouble. All contributions are moderated.

Your Emailclose

Contributions are moderated. We'll need your email address so that we can follow up on the information provided and contact you to let you know when your contribution has been published.

Do, draw and make!

Do, draw and make!

From building dens to food faces – enjoy our Playful Portraits activities and find out about some brilliant people!

Get Creative

Healthcare Heroes

Activities for children and families inspired by three healthcare heroes from our Collection.

Learn together

Learning resources

Downloadable and web based resources to support learning at home linked to art, history, citizenship and literacy.

Get learning