Where better to start than at the beginning with NPG 1? This painting of Wililam Shakespeare was the very first portrait to be acquired for the Gallery’s Collection when we were founded in 1865. It’s also special because it is the only portrait of Shakespeare that has a good claim to having been painted from life.
From our first portrait to one of the newest works on display. Created by artist duo Pierre Commoy and Gilles Blanchard, also known as Pierre et Gilles, Gloria combines painting and photography in Pierre et Gilles’ distinctive style. Staged in the artists’ studio with a set build and props constructed by the duo, the resulting photograph is hand-painted and embellished in the artists’ elaborate style that mixes reality, daily life, dreams and fantasies.
In this portrait, Sam Smith is depicted wearing a costume that includes bespoke angel wings, imagined by fashion designer JW Anderson, and styling by longtime collaborator, Ben Reardon. Fusing the fashion and art spheres of Sam’s interest, this remarkable work is the result of a true collaboration.
Reynolds’ spectacular portrait of Mai, the first Polynesian to visit Britain, holds a pivotal place in global art history and has been on display at the Gallery (for the first time ever in a public collection) since we reopened in June 2023. It’s widely regarded as the finest portrait by one of Britain’s greatest painters and, artistically, it’s one of the most important paintings in our Collection.
Reynolds never sold his portrait of Mai, keeping it on display at his studio until his death. Having never been in public ownership, this portrait was purchased jointly by the Gallery and the J Paul Getty Trust, with support from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, Art Fund, and other generous supporters.
This was the first of three commissions supported by Outset Contemporary Art Fund over three years. Standing up for women’s rights, as both the artist and sitter of this work do magnificently, is more urgent now than ever and this has become an empowering and iconic image in our Collection.
Malala was incredibly generous in her support of the Gallery this year. She Co-Chaired our Portrait Gala alongside Edward Enninful OBE, and generously offered a virtual session with a school of choice as part of our silent auction.
And as we come to the end of the tour, we naturally exit through the gift shop.
This life mask of the poet William Blake was made by James Deville in 1823 and purchased by the Gallery in 1913. Gifted a model of the life-mask, bought from the National Portrait Gallery’s Shop, Francis Bacon painted a portrait based on this historic object, which fascinated him. In synergy, this painting Study for Portrait III is now on display in the Francis Bacon: Human Presence exhibition in the Gallery’s ground floor exhibition space.
The Gallery Shop still sells copies of life masks, along with other homeware, artist and maker collaborations (including our Tracey Emin ceramics collection), gifts and accessories.
Francis Bacon: Human Presence is at the National Portrait Gallery from 10th October 2024 until 19th January 2025. npg.org.uk
