The National Portrait Gallery was founded in 1856, and houses portraits of historically important and famous British people, selected on the basis of the sitter, not that of the artist.

The National Portrait Gallery was the first portrait gallery in the world when it opened in 1856. It has been expanded twice since then and today has a collection of around 10,000 portraits. The collection includes photographs and caricatures as well as paintings, drawings and sculptures.

The gallery moved in 1896 to its current site at St Martin's Palace off Trafalga Square, and adjoining the National Gallery. The National Portrait Gallery also has various satellite outstations located elsewhere in the UK, mostly for aristocratic portraits. In addition to its permanent exhibition of historical portraits, the Gallery also exhibits a rapidly changing collection of contemporary work and stages exhibitions of portrait art by individual artists.

The National Portrait Gallery is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00, with late opening on Thursday and Friday until 21:00. Entry to the gallery is free.