London, National Portrait Gallery

I question why this institution exists. The finer and historically important works would just as easily hang in the National Gallery. The bulk of the portraits in this place are historically irrelevant, and are of upper class landowners, and assorted clerics that history forgot before they died. There is a lack of historical perspective, and a real irrelevance to the majority of the portraits. There is no cultural perspective at all. Visit this and your understanding of English history would be the same as when you entered, apart perhaps from discovering when the "ruff" went out of fashion. The place lacks passion and perspective. Our greatest General (Wellington) is represented by 1 very small canvass. The greatest Admiral in history (Nelson), has 1 slightly larger canvass. Both are dwarfed by huge pictures of Lord sutch and sutch that no-one has heard of. 90% of these portraits should be removed to the vaults, and the 10% of historical worth should be displayed in the National Gallery. Then this place could and should be closed.

I've been here a couple of times, most recently to see the BP Portrait Award. I think it's good if you like portraits, although I've realised that I actually find portraits a bit boring.

There are some good collections upstairs - busts of famous historical figures, and the very top gallery has some amazingly old portraits of kings and queens.

Definitely worth a visit if you're into portraits.

The National Portrait Gallery in London is a stone throw away from Trafalgar Square and I would definately recommend it as a must visit attraction to any visitor in London. It houses very high quality work, portraits of famous Brits by various artists. You can see the portraits royalties such as King George IV, Elizabeth I, King Henry VIII as well as Ann Boleyn. Other interetsing works include the portrait of Winston Churchill and many art figures from the British literature.

It is very educational and inspirational so if you like that kind of art, should pay a visit to this gallery!

Visited National Portait Gallery August 2007. Been before but enjoyed even more the second time. The work on display is fantastic which includes paintings of famous people by various artists. It is a relatively small gallery but full of quality work. The exhibition on at the time was the portrait competition, which was a joy to see such wonderful work and be able to examine at such close quarters. Unfortunately we arrived quite late and did not have as much time as we would have hoped for. Will visit again when in London