Search the Collection

Alain de Botton

(1969-), Writer

Sitter in 2 portraits
Swiss-born, De Botton read History at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge (1988-90) and Philosophy at King's College (1991-2). His first novel, Essays In Love was published in 1993 but gained prominence with his non-fiction book How Proust Can Change Your Life (1997). His books aim to tackle questions of everyday life from a philosophical point of view. Other titles include The Consolations of Philosophy (2000), The Art of Travel (2002), Status Anxiety (2004) and The Architecture of Happiness. His production company, Seneca, has made several documentaries based on his books, including How Proust Can Change Your Life starring Ralph Fiennes and Felicity Kendal.

Tell us More

List Thumbnail

Alain de Botton

by Roderick Field
bromide fibre print, 21 January 2000
NPG x88500

Alain de Botton

by Harry Borden
C-type colour print, 16 September 2001
NPG x128166

Groups

Writers and critics

Places

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? (Help)

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.

Citation (Help)

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

* Permission to publish (Privacy information)

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.

Denied Granted

* Your name (Why?)

* Email (Why?)

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.

Tell us more

Can you tell us more about this person?

Alain de Botton

Thanks for Liking