Search the Collection

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela

(1918-2013), President of South Africa; President of the African National Congress

Sitter in 3 portraits
Former leader of the African National Congress, Nelson Mandela 'Madiba' was the first black head of state and the first president to be elected democratically. From 1964-90, he was imprisoned for his involvement in the armed resistance to apartheid. During his incarceration, Mandela became an international symbol of freedom, social justice and racial equality. His period of presidency (1994-1999) saw the reconciliation of black and white South Africans, for which he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (with F. W. de Klerk) in 1993. Since retiring, his primary commitment was the fight against AIDS and social injustices, which led to the creation of the Nelson Mandela Foundation in 1999.

Watch a film clip on the sitter from the BBC Archive in the Media section below

Tell us More

List Thumbnail

Nelson Mandela, by Ian Homer Walters - NPG 6868

Nelson Mandela

by Ian Homer Walters
bronze bust, 2008, based on a work of 2001
On display in Room 32 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 6868

Nelson Mandela, by Michael Peto - NPG x137674

Nelson Mandela

by Michael Peto
modern bromide print from original negative, June 1962
NPG x137674

Nelson Mandela, by Jillian Edelstein - NPG x128760

Nelson Mandela

by Jillian Edelstein
bromide fibre print, 6 February 1997
NPG x128760

Category

Groups

Place

Media

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. 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.