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Great Britons: Treasures from the National Portrait Gallery, London

April 27, 2007 - September 3, 2007

Museum: Portrait Gallery

Location: 2nd Floor, west side

In celebration of the 150th anniversary of London's National Portrait Gallery, this exhibition features approximately 60 of the finest painted portraits and photographs of significant British figures of the past 500 years and also shows the common histories between Great Britain and the United States. Influential individuals featured include monarchs Elizabeth I and II; individuals who created political change, from Henry VIII to Margaret Thatcher; scientists from Sir Isaac Newton to Charles Darwin. It also highlights works by outstanding portrait painters, such as Sir Anthony van Dyck and Sir John Everitt Millais. Photographic and digital works include Mario Testino's 1997 image of Diana, Princess of Wales, and Sam Taylor Wood's digital video portrait of footballer David Beckham.

See related articles in the Smithsonian  magazine: July 2007, p. 32; August 2007, pp. 78-83.

Online Exhibition