Events and exhibitions calendar

Experience six decades of intimate portraits by acclaimed artist David Hockney, including new works, in this highly-rated exhibition returning after a Covid closure

This highly-anticipated exhibition returns to the National Portrait Gallery after three years, showcasing celebrated professionals and emerging artists in one of the world's most important photography competitions.

Explore the Black figure in Western art history with contemporary artists from the African diaspora, curated by Ekow Eshun, highlighting the richness and complexity of Black life.

Experience the creative and imaginative portraiture of influential photographers Francesca Woodman and Julia Margaret Cameron, spanning over a century with 150 vintage prints on display.

Historic paintings by Hans Holbein and contemporary photography by Hiroshi Sugimoto meet in our first exhibition of historic portraiture since reopening, presenting a study of the lives and afterlives of the women who married Henry VIII.

The Herbert Smith Freehills Portrait Award returns to the National Portrait Gallery. Last shown at the Gallery in 2020, the prestigious portrait painting competition showcases the very best in contemporary portraiture.

Featuring works from the 1950s onwards, this exhibition will explore Francis Bacon’s deep connection to portraiture and how he challenged traditional definitions of the genre.

Showcasing the work of talented young photographers, gifted amateurs and established professionals, the Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize features the very best of contemporary photography.

Step back through time with a free highlights tour exploring our Collection and building.

Learn more about this portrait of Emma Hamilton by George Romney.

Step back through time with a free highlights tour exploring our Collection and building.

Step back through time with a free highlights tour exploring our Collection and building.

Learn more about this portrait of David Bowie by Stephen Finer.

Step back through time with a free highlights tour exploring our Collection and building.

Step back through time with a free highlights tour exploring our Collection and building.

Learn more about this self-portrait by Allan Ramsay.

Step back through time with a free highlights tour exploring our Collection and building.

Step back through time with a free highlights tour exploring our Collection and building.

Learn more about this self-portrait by Sir Joshua Reynolds.

Step back through time with a free highlights tour exploring our Collection and building.

Step back through time with a free highlights tour exploring our Collection and building.

Learn more about this portrait of Dorothy Hodgkin by Maggi Hambling.

Step back through time with a free highlights tour exploring our Collection and building.

Step back through time with a free highlights tour exploring our Collection and building.

Discover more about this self-portrait by Gluck.

Step back through time with a free highlights tour exploring our Collection and building.

Create your own work in the Gallery in this artist-led workshop.

Join conservator Polly Saltmarsh for a talk revealing the processes behind her conservation of some of the Gallery’s most prized Tudor portraits.

Step back through time with a free highlights tour exploring our Collection and building.

Learn more about this portrait of Queen Henrietta Maria by an unknown artist.

Step back through time with a free highlights tour exploring our Collection and building.

Ring in the New Year with unique dining experiences at the National Portrait Gallery

Join us for a Members’ Late to view David Hockney: Drawing from Life and Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize 2023

Lecture with Rosie Broadley, Senior Curator 20th Century Collections.

A two-hour workshop inspired by the themes of this year’s Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize, uncovering the secrets of taking better portraits on your smartphone.

Join our free monthly session for Under 5s. Explore the gallery and the collection with your family through stories, songs and making activities.

This talk will examine the impact that historic artists have had on Hockney’s graphic portraits, particularly the work of Rembrandt, Ingres and Picasso

Led by a figurative artist, join our monthly evening life drawing class held in the Ondaatje Wing Lecture Theatre.

Develop your self-portraiture skills with Portrait prize-winning artist, Charlie Schaffer, in this two-day workshop inspired by our exhibition, David Hockney: Drawing from Life.

In celebration of Burns Night join this free Gallery talk inspired by the life, work and legacy of poet Robert Burns

Led by artist Alison Kusner, create your own work in the Gallery and be inspired by the world’s largest collection of portraits

Lecture from celebrated novelist Philippa Gregory, introducing her new book, Normal Women: 900 Years of Making History

Join Windrush 75: Portraits of a Pioneering Generation portraitist Shannon Bono to learn how to capture portraits of your own elders in this workshop.

Join us for an extended in person Members’ Afternoon preview of the exhibition, The Time is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure.

Join Rose Issa in conversation with this year’s In Focus Photographer for the Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize, Hassan Hajjaj.

Join us for an extended in person Members’ Afternoon preview of the exhibition Francesca Woodman and Julia Margaret Cameron: Portraits to Dream In.

Join us for a Members' Early Morning View of The Time is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure and Francesca Woodman and Julia Margaret Cameron: Portraits to Dream In

Join us for a Members’ Late to view The Time is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure and Francesca Woodman and Julia Margaret Cameron: Portraits to Dream In

A display of ten portraits, highlighting the experiences of people who have made positive contributions to the United Kingdom.

Celebrating a decade of Sky Arts’ series, Portrait Artist of the Year, this special display includes eight portraits of Dame Judi Dench

New portraits by artist Kyam and poetry by Croydon’s first Poet Laureate Shaniqua Benjamin, inspired by some of Croydon’s Caribbean influencers

A new exhibition in partnership with Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art (MIMA) featuring works with connections to the city and the River Tees