The National Portrait Gallery in London is a museum dedicated to historical and cultural figures. Its collection is chosen based on the significance of the subject, and it was founded in 1865 but got a permanent home in 1889. Admission is free, but the museum is funded through government, trusts, and donations.
The National Portrait Gallery in London is an art museum entirely dedicated to portraits of important historical and cultural figures. The museum’s mission is to encourage an understanding and appreciation of both the figures in the portraits and the practice of portraiture itself. the museum was founded in the year 1865 but did not get a permanent home until the year 1889. Admission is free for all visitors except some special events and exhibitions.
Objects in the National Portrait Gallery are carefully chosen. The focus of the collection is historical rather than artistic, so the paintings are not sought on the basis of the artist’s status, fame or popularity, but on the significance of the subject of the portrait. Generally, portraits are chosen based on the historical and cultural significance of the subject, especially if this individual has had a significant impact on the UK.
The establishment of a National Portrait Gallery is due to the work of Philip Stanhope. Stanhope was a historian interested in creating a visual record of significant UK figures. In 1865, after being appointed to the House of Lords, Stanhope applied for funds to start a National Portrait Gallery. The House agreed and gave £2,000 British Pounds (GBP) towards its establishment.
Between the time of its formation and the year 1889, the collection had no permanent home. It has resided in a number of places, including private homes and other museums. This was a difficult situation as some of the space used for the collection was not appropriate and the portraits were sometimes threatened by fire and damaged by flooding during this period. In the year 1889, William Henry Alexander gave enough money to build a permanent house for the collection. The National Portrait Gallery still stands on this site today, although many additions have been made to the original structure.
This museum does not have an entrance fee and is always free for visitors, which means that the museum must be funded in ways that do not include entrance fees. Special events or exhibits sometimes require an admission fee, and profits from the gift shop and café also go back to the museum. While these profits are useful, most of the money that runs the museum comes from government, trusts, donations, and personal donations.
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