National Portrait Gallery To Remain Shut For Next Three Years

Home to the largest collection of portraiture in the world, the National Portrait Gallery, founded in 1856 hosts a variety of displays and temporary exhibitions throughout the year. With an aim to promote the appreciation and understanding of portraiture in all media, the gallery features striking photographic portraits of personalities from late middle-ages to even contemporary figures. 

This museum is all set to shut its doors for the next three years, beginning June 2020 until the spring of 2023 on account of redevelopment. The &pound35.5 million revamp will include reopening of the East-Wing, a new learning centre, refurbishment of the building, new public spaces and an improved and grander entrance. This new entrance will be installed through the northern wall of the gallery wherein offices will be turned into display spaces, and the collection will be rehung. 

While the museum undergoes restoration, the art will be doing the rounds in the UK. The management has planned several collaborations including a partnership with York Art Gallery in 2021 and Holbourne Museum in Bath in 2022, in addition to other exhibitions in Scottish National Portrait Gallery National Museum Liverpool and Laing Art Gallery

As stated by the National Portrait Gallery Director, the aim is to make the gallery more welcoming and engaging and share their collection with existing and new patrons.