What's on - February to April 2025 by National Portrait Gallery

What’s on

The Face Magazine: Culture Shift

20 February – 18 May 2025

Floor 0

TheFaceMagazine:CultureShift

celebrates iconic fashion photography and portraiture from The Face, a trailblazing youth culture and style magazine that has shaped the creative and cultural landscape in Britain and beyond.

From 1980 to 2004, The Face played a vital role in creating contemporary culture, from championing models and musicians who would achieve global success to launching the careers of leading photographers and stylists.

Relaunched in 2019, The Face continues to champion fresh talent in photography, fashion, music and graphic design.

Curated by the National Portrait Gallery, in collaboration with former art director Lee Swillingham and photographer Norbert Schoerner, the exhibition brings together over 200 photographic prints from over 80 photographers – a unique opportunity to see many of these images away from the magazine page for the first time.

Members go free.

£23 / £25.50 with donation Advance booking recommended.

£5 tickets for 25 and under: Friday – Sunday. Limited availability. Other concessions available.

Behind the scenes of The Face magazine

20 February: 12.00 – 13.00

£10 (£8 Members / concessions)

Disrupting fashion photography WORKSHOP

22 February: 11.00 – 17.00 £125 (£100 Members / concessions)

Youthful opportunities: Photographing for The Face in the 1990s with Elaine Constantine TALK

3 April: 13.00 – 14.00

£10 (£8 Members / concessions)

Guest DJ – Jeremy Healy

4 April: 18.30 – 20.30 Free, drop-in.

BSL tour TOUR

25 April: 18.00 – 19.00 Free, sign up online.

Sensory tour TOUR

28 April: 15.00 – 16.00 Free, sign up online.

Edvard Munch Portraits

13 March – 15 June 2025

Floor 2

Regarded as one of the great portraitists of the 19th and 20th centuries, Edvard Munch consistently produced penetrating portraits of family, friends, lovers, writers, artists, patrons and collectors, together with an extraordinary range of self-portraits. With energetic brushstrokes, bold colour and a direct sense of engagement with the subject, these works focus on the inner psychology of the individual, balancing abstraction with direct observation.

Edvard Munch Portraits will be the first exhibition in the UK to focus on Munch’s portraiture and his relationship with his sitters.

Members go free.

£21 / £23.50 with donation Advance booking recommended.

£5 tickets for 25 and under: Friday – Sunday. Limited availability. Other concessions available.

Coming soon

Jenny Saville: The Anatomy of Painting

20 June – 7 September 2025

Floor 0

Curator’s introduction to Edvard Munch Portraits

TALK

28 March: 19.00 – 20.00

£15 (£12 Members / concessions)

Edvard Munch: Oil painting portraits in colour

WORKSHOP

26 April & 27 April: 11.00 – 17.00

£250 (£200 Members / concessions)

The first major museum exhibition in the UK dedicated to the work of one of the world’s foremost contemporary artists, Jenny Saville: The Anatomy of Painting will bring together 50 works made throughout Saville’s extraordinary career. The exhibition includes her large-scale oil paintings and drawings, exploring the interplay of figuration, abstraction and the historical traditions of portraiture.

Herbert

10 July – 12 October 2025

Floor 2

The Herbert Smith Freehills Portrait Award returns for 2025. The prestigious painting competition celebrates the very best in contemporary portraiture and will include captivating works from around the world, by both self-taught and more established painters. Since its inception, the longstanding competition has attracted over 40,000 entries from more than 100 countries and has been seen by over 6 million people.

Admission free

Supported by

Self Portrait in Studio V, 2024 by Estelle Day © Estelle Day

Hans Jaeger, 1889 by Edvard Munch © Nasjonalmuseet for kunst, arkitektur og design, The Fine Art Collections. Photo: Nasjonalmuseet/Børre Høstland.

The Asbjorn Lunde Foundation

Events highlights

in Jane Austen

7 February: 19.00 – 20.00

Marking 250 years since the celebrated novelist’s birth, join us for a special lecture, in partnership with The Jane Austen Society, led by Professor Joe Bray. Explore the role of portraits in Austen’s novels and how they bring us closer to both her characters and the Georgian world.

£15 (£12 Members / concessions)

Drop-in drawing

21 February, 21 March, 4 April: 18.00 – 20.00

An art class for everyone. Be inspired by portraits in the Collection and create your own work of art. Led by an artist, this workshop welcomes all abilities, with all materials provided.

Free, drop-in.

The Legacy of Ada Lovelace

14 February: 19.00 – 20.00

Discover the life of Ada Lovelace, whose portrait is on loan from the Government Art Collection, in a discussion with Government Art Collection curator, Dr. LauraMaria Popoviciu, and Director of Collections and Research at the Wallace Collection, Dr. Alison Smith.

£15 (£12 Members / concessions)

Disrupting fashion photography

22 February: 11.00 – 17.00

Led by a current contemporary photographer and contributor to The Face magazine, join us for a digital photography workshop and learn inventive and new ways to create exciting fashion photography at home, in the studio and outside.

£125 (£100 Members / concessions)

A snapshot of upcoming events taking place at the Gallery. Join the conversation, be inspired and get creative. Discover the full programme at npg.org.uk/whatson

Behind the scenes of The Face magazine

20 February: 12.00 – 13.00

Join Nick Logan, founder of The Face magazine, and Neville Brody, the magazine’s first Art Director, as the pair share behindthe-scenes stories of how the magazine came to significantly impact music, fashion and the arts.

£10 (£8 Members / concessions)

Queen James: The Life and Loves of Britain’s First King

27 March: 13.00 – 14.00

Join historian and broadcaster Gareth Russell for a lecture about James Stuart, the first king of Great Britain. Hear about James – genius, liar, spendthrift, idealist, witch-hunter – and the men he loved, at the centre of one of the most gripping stories in British royal history.

£10 (£8 Members / concessions)

Curator’s introduction to Edvard Munch Portraits

28 March: 19.00 – 20.00

Join curator Dr. Alison Smith for an introduction to Edvard Munch Portraits. The first exhibition in the UK to focus on Munch’s portraiture, learn about the works on display, from portraits of friends and lovers to an extraordinary range of self-portraits.

£15 (£12 Members / concessions)

Let there be light: The impact of lighting on photography

12 April: 11.00 – 17.00

In this special photography workshop, led by contemporary photographer John Akehurst, explore the important role lighting plays in photography. Learn how to analyse the use of lighting in various images, implement practical techniques and experiment with different lighting setups.

£125 (£100 Members / concessions)

Youthful opportunities: Photographing for The Face with Elaine Constantine

3 April: 13.00 – 14.00

Join BAFTA nominated writer, director and photographer, Elaine Constantine, as she outlines her experience working as a photographer for The Face magazine throughout the 1990s.

£10 (£8 Members / concessions)

Edvard Munch: Oil painting portraits in colour

26 & 27 April: 11.00 – 17.00

Inspired by Edvard Munch Portraits, join portraitist Charlie Schaffer for a two-day course to master the basics of portrait painting in oil. Be inspired by Munch’s portraits and experiment with your own colour combinations.

£250 (£200 Members / concessions)

Language (BSL) 28 February: 18.00 – 19.00

28 March: 18.00 – 19.00

Descriptive

25 February: 15.00 – 16.30

18 March: 15.00 – 16.30

Free, sign up online.

18 March: 18.30 – 19.30

£25

Westminster tour

11 April: 17.30 – 19.00

£25

(left) Ludvig Karsten (detail) by Edvard Munch, 1905 © Thielska Galleriet (right) Jappe Nilssen (detail) by Edvard Munch, 1909©Munchmuseet

© National Portrait Gallery, London Collection tours: Access

Käte and Hugo Perls by Edvard Munch, 1913 © Munchmuseet

King James of England and VI of Scotland (detail) by Daniel Mytens, 1621

WORKSHOP

Seagull (Sarf Coastin’) by Elaine Constantine, December 1997 © Elaine Constantine

AHP ‘White Story’, 2000 © John Akehurst

Jane Austen (detail) by Cassandra Austen, c. 1810

Portraits

© David Parry

WORKSHOP

Ada Lovelace (detail) by Margaret Sarah Carpenter (née Geddes), 1836 © Image - Crown Copyright - UK Government Art Collection

Blur by Andrea Giacobbe, September 1995 © Andrea Giacobbe

WORKSHOP

Youth

Portrait photography workshop

23 February: 11.00 – 16.00

Inspired by The Face Magazine: Culture Shift, explore youth culture and work with a professional photographer to develop your skills. Take advantage of our camera and photography equipment in our Law Photography Studio.

For young people aged 14-18. Free, booking required.

Shop

Extend your visit by taking a piece of the National Portrait Gallery with you. Discover our extensive selection of prints, books, homeware, accessories and stationery, as well as our unique jewellery range inspired by our exhibitions and Collection.

Visit our shops on Floor 0 and 2

Shop online at npgshop.org.uk

PORTfolio workshop

12 April: 11.00 – 16.00

Sharpen your portraiture skills through artist-led drawing and painting workshops. Using a variety of sources for inspiration – from the Collection to drawing from life – learn new techniques and develop your skills.

For young people aged 16-18. Free, booking required.

PORTfolio review

13 April: 11.00 – 16.00

Join our online speed portfolio review sessions, hosted by an inspiring group of artists, curators and artist educators. Receive advice and feedback that will help support your ideas, projects and work moving forward.

For young people aged 16-18. Free, booking required.

Members enjoy 10% off in our shops Every purchase supports the National Portrait Gallery.

Families

Family Day: Picture yourself

Pick up a free activity trail at the Family Art Cart located in our Ross Place entrance. Explore the Gallery in fun and playful ways then collect your reward at the Ticket Desk. Free, drop-in.

18 February: 11.00 – 16.00

Express yourself and enjoy creating together this February half term! Explore photography, sculpting and collage and make your own artworks inspired by self-portraits on display throughout the Gallery. Free, limited places. Drop-in.

Supported by the Loveday Charitable Trust.

Special displays

Colin Davidson: Silent Testimony

Until 23 February 2025

Room 14, Floor 3

Discover the stories of eighteen people connected by their experiences of loss during the period in the history of Northern Ireland known as the Troubles. Painted by Belfast-born artist Colin Davidson, the portraits invite us to reflect on the impact of the conflict and its lasting effects on the lives of people from different communities.

Little explorers

19 March & 23 April: 10.45 – 11.15 & 11.30 – 12.00

Join our free monthly sessions for under 5s. Explore the Gallery with your family through stories, songs and making activities.

Recommended for ages 2+. Free, limited places. Booking required.

Supported by The Mercers’ Company.

Zoë Law: LEGENDS

Until 2 March 2025

Studio Gallery & Spotlight Space, Floor -2 & -3

‘My series celebrates LEGENDS: people who embody passion, dedication and resilience.’

This immersive display showcases photographer Zoë Law’s LEGENDS series, celebrating over one hundred individuals from the worlds of art, fashion, business and entertainment

Orlando Bloom, 2018 by Zoë Law

© Zoë Law

Walter Simons by Colin Davidson, 2014

Eat and drink

The Portrait Restaurant

by Richard Corrigan

Floor 4

Indulge in culinary delights whilst taking in stunning views across Trafalgar Square in our top-floor restaurant. Bringing the best from our land and sea, Richard Corrigan’s menu has been described by food critic Giles Coren as ‘Great South European food with bare Irish genius’.

Highlights include a set lunch and à la carte menu, featuring a seasonal selection of British and Irish fish and shellfish delicacies alongside meat specialities and seasonal vegetables.

The bar serves small plates alongside an extensive wine menu, zero-alcohol options and signature cocktails including house special, The Portrait.

Open Sunday to Tuesday

12.00 – 17.30

Wednesday to Saturday 12.00 – 22.30

Audrey Green

Café

Floor –1

Visit our café, with its own street-level entrance, for delicious light lunches, salads, snacks, specialty coffee, drinks, cakes and ‘Nippers’ children’s menu.

Open Monday to Thursday 08.30 – 17.30

Friday 08.30 – 19.00

Saturday 09.00 – 19.00

Sunday 09.00 – 17.30

Audrey

Green at The Portrait Pavilion*

Opposite Ross Place, Charing Cross Road

Grab a Daisy Green coffee and quick bite from The Portrait Pavilion, situated outside our main entrance

*Take away only. Opening hours are subject to change.

Open Monday to Friday 08.00 – 17.30

Saturday and Sunday 10.00 – 17.30

Larry’s

Dining and Bar

Floor –3

Delve into the Gallery’s historic brick vaults to dine and drink amidst works from the Collection, celebrating Soho and Theatreland.

During the day, enjoy a familyfriendly brunch and lunch menu and experience the showstopping Breakfast at Audrey’s Afternoon Tea with a selection of cakes and cream teas.

Into the evening, sample cocktails inspired by the Gallery’s Collection, including the award-winning McBean, alongside an evening dinner menu, charcuterie boards and small plates.

Every Wednesday to Saturday until late, enjoy our Live at Larry’s jazz nights. The speakeasy glitz and glam is the perfect accompaniment for your dining and cocktail tasting experience.

Open Sunday to Monday 11.00 – 17.30

Tuesday to Saturday 11.00 – midnight

*Afternoon tea available Wednesday to Sunday 14.00 – 17.00

Membership Me & Unlimited free entry

Enjoy a whole year of exhibitions, previews, events, discounts and much more.

The Face Magazine: Culture Shift

20 February – 18 May 2025

Edvard Munch Portraits

13 March – 15 June 2025

Jenny Saville: The Anatomy of Painting 20 June – 7 September 2025

Herbert Smith Freehills Portrait Award 2025 10 July – 12 October 2025

Cecil Beaton’s Fashionable World 9 October – 11 January 2026

Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize 2025 13 November – 8 February 2026

Become a Member today from £61 a year or £5.50 a month by Direct Debit.

Find

This is a Gallery for everyone, full of life and filled with stories. A place to look, learn, question, listen, eat, drink, meet, play and join. We are committed to making the Gallery accessible and inclusive to all.

Getting here

National Portrait Gallery St Martin’s Place London, WC2H 0HE Leicester Square

Opening hours

Sunday – Thursday: 10.30 – 18.00 Friday – Saturday: 10.30 – 21.00

For events which specify essential booking, this can be done:

Online: npg.org.uk

Over the phone: +44 (0)20 7306 0055

In person: Visit the Gallery Ticket Desk

Group visits

Enjoy Collection and bespoke tours, exhibition lectures and exclusive group discounts.

Keep in touch

Tel: +44 (0)20 7306 0055 (lines open 10.00 – 18.00)

Text Relay Calls: 18001 020 7306 0055

Email: info@npg.org.uk

Pick up an Access Guide from the Ticket Desk on Floor 0 to find out more about our access provisions.

#NationalPortraitGallery

On display in The Face Magazine: Culture Shift exhibition, 20 February – 18 May 2025.

All images © National Portrait Gallery, London unless otherwise stated. All information correct at time of going to press.