National Portrait Gallery

"A national pantheon of the greatest names in British history and culture, the collections of the National Portrait Gallery contain more than 11,000 paintings, sculptures and works on paper and over a quarter of a million photographs. There are kings and queens, courtiers and courtesans, politicians and poets, soldiers and scientists, artists and writers, philosophers and film stars individuals from every sphere. This book presents a broad selection of the personalities that have shaped the last four centuries of British life, from Elizabeth I to David Beckham, from Shakespeare to Seamus Heaney, portrayed by artists as diverse as Hans Holbein, David Bailey, Joshua Reynolds and Paula Rego. Special features ... provide insights into particular areas of the Collection, and an introductory essay explains the history and purpose of this great public institution"--Publisher's description.