The National Portrait Gallery – Where Art Resides

Vaiva Seskeviciute,

Correspondent (Art)

 

The National Portrait Gallery is located in the heart of London and holds one of the most extensive portrait collections in the world. In recent years, The Gallery has attracted widespread attention across different media organisations and prominently increased the attendance of a varied audience. However, the question of where culture and art in the contemporary world resides, is still there. Is there a need for cultural edification, an eagerness to see famous art works influenced by the media or nothing but a necessity for a tick on tourists’ ‘must see’ list?

In 2012 the National Portrait Gallery attracted more than 2,000,000 visitors, which is almost twice the number as in 2000. The spokesperson Simone Sagi argues that there are several reasons for the increased popularity of the Gallery: “In 2000 the Gallery opened a new wing and began late night opening on Thursdays and Fridays, which has increased capacity. Plus, over the last ten years we have had a popular programme of exhibitions and events and through the public programme and communications have actively worked to attract new and diverse audiences.“

The Gallery seeks to represent the British history and culture through the portraits of famous figures and historical personas. However, considering the online access to the reproductions of the paintings, a need to see an exhibition in person might have been shaken. The Gallery‘s representative Simone Sagi is far more positive:  “Digital representations of artworks are vital as research materials and for outreach work. They cannot replace the experience of viewing an artwork in person“.

Recently the Gallery commissioned the first official portrait of Kate Middleton and on the 11^th of January, 2013, the painting of The Duchess of Cambridge was unveiled to the public. The representation of the Royal of our generation that millions will see for years to come received high media attention and attracted hundreds of visitors. S. Sagi says: “The painting forms a continued line of Royal Portraits in the Collection. It has proved popular with visitors and has become our fastest selling postcard in the Gallery’s shop”. The portrait, which was praised by the Royals and criticized by artists complemented the collection of more than 185,000 paintings that include portraits of The Royal Family, honored social and cultural actors as well as icons of the latter-day.

Hundreds of people descend on the National Portrait Gallery every day. However, the debate on why art is still important and where it stands in the modern world is still there. Hopefully it reaches far beyond obligatory school trips, planned sight-seeing routes or the media’s inducement on what is worth seeing. This is our history that comes through art, and the art that makes history.