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The leaders of London’s National Portrait Gallery say the historic institution is now more accessible to all, with a complete reimagining of the attraction focused on increasing representation and inspiring people
Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 29 Jun 2023
The gallery closed in 2020 to undergo a three-year renovation Credit: Olivier Hess
The £35.5m (US$45m, €41m) transformation of London’s National Portrait Gallery (NPG) has made its historic collection accessible “to many who might not have previously thought it was for them” with the reimagined attraction “a gallery of people, for people”, according to the institution’s leaders.
The gallery reopened on June 22 following an extensive renovation of the historic institution after completely closing in 2020 to undergo the project, dubbed ‘Inspiring People’. The renovation is the most significant in the gallery’s 127-year history, with new public spaces, the utilisation of previously unused areas and new facilities to enrich the visitor experience.
Curators worked alongside Nissen Richards Studio to rehang some 1,100 portraits in chronological order, to take “visitors on a visual journey through history, from the Middle Ages to the present day, telling the story of the United Kingdom through portraits.”
The refurb is also part of an initiative that has seen the gallery make concerted efforts to increase representation in its displayed works. Among them is The Doors, a new commission by celebrated British artist Tracey Emin. Located at the newly-positioned entrance, the work consists of three, four-metre high bronze doors, and features 45 hand-drawn illustrations of women and aims to counter the over-representation of male artists in the gallery’s collection.
“The NPG has been reimagined and will now welcome visitors from every corner of the world,” said David Ross, chair of the Board of Trustees.
“The project makes portraiture accessible to many who might not have previously thought that it was for them.
“It has made the gallery a genuine cultural hub within the heart of London’s West End.”
Dr Nicholas Cullinan, NPG’s director, added that the work has transformed the gallery into one that not only showcases historic works, but also one that better represents its visitors.
“The curators of the gallery have undertaken a complete rehang of the collection, from top to bottom, Tudors to now, and through many new significant acquisitions and commissions over the last few years, have transformed both the range and quality of the portraits we have on our walls,” he said.
“This work has enabled us to truly become a gallery of people, for people and more alive, and lively, than ever before.”
NPG’s transformation was helmed by London-based architecture practice Jamie Fobert Architects and heritage architecture specialist Purcell.
New additions include a Victorian terrazzo floor with original windows, doors and roof lights to invite in natural light and connect the gallery to the surrounding city, as well as a new accessible entrance and outdoor forecourt.
The renovation also saw the creation of The Mildred and Simon Palley Learning Centre - an education studio that has tripled the gallery’s learning provision.
Several gallery improvements were also carried out, including the new Blavatnik Wing, which encompasses nine renovated gallery rooms exhibiting works from the 19th and early 20th centuries, as well as the rehanging of the gallery’s collection.
The project was financially backed by a £10m (US$13m, €12m) endowment from the Blavatnik Family Foundation, the largest gift the NPG has ever received, as well as grants from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Art Fund, the Ross Foundation and the Garfield Weston Foundation.
Museums and galleries
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