The collection spans chronically from the early Tudors to the current day, encompassing the most extensive collection of portraits in the world. You’ll recognize the names, but not necessarily the faces in these portraits.
Highlights of the National Portrait Gallery are the Chandos Portraitof William Shakespeare by John Taylor, supposedly the only one painted of the Bard during his lifetime; a portrait of Queen Elizabeth I, of the mighty queen standing on a map of England by Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger; a kitschy statue of Victoria and Albert in Anglo-Saxon dress; David, a video-portrait ofDavid Beckham sleeping by Sam Taylor-Johnson; and Dame Zaha Hadid by Michael Craig-Martin.
Visit: St. Martin’s Pl, Charring Cross, WC2H 0HE; 020-7321 0055; npg.org.uk
