Art exhibitions to see at the National Portrait Gallery in 2025

The National Portrait Gallery in London will host a series of exceptional exhibitions in 2025, showcasing a range of renowned artists and photographers. From iconic portraits by Edvard Munch to the vibrant fashion imagery of The Face magazine, these exhibitions will explore themes of identity, creativity, and culture. Here is a preview of the exciting exhibitions you can look forward to in the coming year.

Kate Moss by Glen Luchford, March 1993 © Glen Luchford. Styling Venetia Scott.

The Face Magazine: Culture Shift

This exhibition will celebrate The Face magazine’s pivotal role in shaping youth culture from the 1980s to 2004. Featuring over 200 iconic photographs by renowned photographers such as Sheila Rock and David Sims, it offers a captivating visual journey through fashion, music, and style.

Date: 13 February 2025 – 1 June 2025. Price: £23 / 25.50 with donation. Free for members. npg.org.uk.

Käte and Hugo Perls, 1913 by Edvard Munch © Foto Munchmuseet / Ove Kvavik.

Edvard Munch Portraits

For the first time in the UK, this exhibition focuses on Edvard Munch’s portraiture, revealing intimate and personal depictions of family, friends, and himself, alongside his emotional portrayal of the human condition.

Date: 12 March 2025 – 15 June 2025. Price: £21 / 23.50 with donation. Free for members. npg.org.uk.

Drift by Jenny Saville, 2020-2022 © Jenny Saville, Courtesy Gagosian.

Jenny Saville: The Anatomy of Painting

This major retrospective of contemporary artist Jenny Saville will explore her powerful and large-scale paintings that examine the human body and identity through innovative techniques and compelling visuals.

Date: 20 June 2025 – 7 September 2025. Price: TBC. npg.org.uk.

Herbert Smith Freehills Portrait Award 2025

The National Portrait Gallery’s annual exhibition celebrates contemporary portraiture, featuring the best works from the prestigious portrait competition. It highlights the diversity and creativity of today’s artists.

Date: 10 July - 12 October 2025. Price: Free. npg.org.uk.

The Second Age of Beauty by Cecil Beaton, British Vogue February 1946 © The Condé Nast Publications Ltd. Condé Nast Archive London.

Cecil Beaton’s Fashionable World

This glamorous exhibition will highlight Cecil Beaton’s illustrious career as a fashion illustrator, photographer, and costume designer. Revered as “The King of Vogue,” Beaton immortalised the elegance and sophistication of interwar and post-war high society through his iconic imagery and designs. As the first comprehensive showcase of his fashion legacy, the exhibition will explore Beaton’s profound influence on film, art, and couture.

Date: 9 October 2025 - 11 January 2026. Price: TBC. npg.org.uk.

Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize

The prestigious Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize will showcase the best in contemporary portrait photography, celebrating both the established and emerging talent from around the world.

Date: 1 November 2025 – 21 December 2025. Price: TBC. npg.org.uk.

Visit npg.org.uk to discover more about their exciting 2025 programme.

Thumbnail image: Girls on Bikes (Sarf Coastin’), by Elaine Constantine, styled by Polly Banks, December 1997, © Elaine Constantine.