| Lucian Freud: Drawing into Painting 12 February – 3 May 2026 Lucian Freud: Drawing into Painting will explore the artist’s lifelong preoccupation with the human face and figure from the 1930s to the early twenty-first century, focusing on Freud’s mastery of drawing in all its forms – from pencil, pen, and ink to charcoal and etching. In addition, a carefully selected group of important paintings will reveal the dynamic dialogue between his practice on paper and on canvas. After focussing on highly finished and linear observational drawings in the 1940s, which were much admired by critics at the time, Freud turned his attention to a looser approach to painting in the 1950s, in part influenced by his friendship with Francis Bacon. For the next twenty years Freud’s energy was focussed on painting and a selection of these ambitious works will be displayed alongside the related works on paper in the exhibition. Freud only returned to drawing in earnest in the mid-1970s when his painting had reached its full maturity. In 1982, after a 34-year hiatus, he returned to etching, which he regarded as a ‘form of drawing’. Drawing into Painting will also include a selection of sketchbooks from the National Portrait Gallery Archive. These pages span Freud’s working life, revealing the artist’s behind-the-scenes workings and expanding our understanding of his daily thinking as an artist. The Gallery is grateful for the generous support of the Huo Family Foundation. Tickets for Lucian Freud: Drawing into Painting are now on sale. Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait 4 June – 6 September 2026 In celebration of the Hollywood star’s 100th birthday and in association with the Marilyn Monroe estate, Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait will explore the life, career and legacy of Marilyn Monroe through portraits created by some of the greatest photographers and artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. Bringing together works by Andy Warhol, Pauline Boty, Marlene Dumas, James Gill, Rosalyn Drexler and Audrey Flack, alongside over 20 era-defining photographers, including Cecil Beaton, Philippe Halsman, Bernard of Hollywood, André de Dienes, Eve Arnold, Inge Morath, Alfred Eisenstaedt, Milton Greene, Sam Shaw, Richard Avedon and George Barris, the exhibition will foreground Monroe’s collaborative approach to image making and her creative agency. The exhibition will also include personal belongings such as books, scripts and clothes to enrich understanding of the woman behind the image. From the earliest ‘cheesecake’ pin-ups made when she was a young model named Norma-Jeane, to the most poignant final photographs taken on the beach in Malibu in 1962, Marilyn Monroe was one of the most photographed people in the world. A defining presence in popular culture, she captivated audiences with performances in much loved films such as Some Like it Hot. In the 1950s and 1960s, Marilyn Monroe’s popularity secured her starring roles in the work of artists including Richard Hamilton, Pauline Boty and Andy Warhol, whose ‘Marilyn’ portraits are among the most highly prized works of art in the world. She continues to fascinate artists, drawn to her iconic presence and fascinating life. Tim Walker’s Fairyland: Love and Legends 8 October 2026 – January 2027 Tim Walker’s Fairyland is an exploration of queer identity, community, and love through the lens of one of Britain’s foremost photographers. Walker rose to prominence in the 1990s with his unique style of whimsical photography inspired by fairytales and adventures. He has photographed famous faces including Chappell Roan, Lady Gaga, Pet Shop Boys, Hunter Schafer, Miriam Margolyes and Frank Ocean, with his work featured in international magazines including Vogue, Vanity Fair, W, LOVE, Another Man and i-D. In preparation for this exhibition, he has spent the past five years photographing activists, performers, artists, and writers in his inimitable style. These new pictures are the result of Walker’s quest to connect with queer trailblazers in Britain and beyond. This exhibition will take visitors on a journey into Walker’s inner world – a vivid tapestry woven from his many inspirations and influences. Exuberant portraits and fantastical landscapes combine to create an unforgettable celebration. Walker’s creativity runs free, and his Fairyland is a place where everyone has the freedom to be themselves. The exhibition is curated by Susanna Brown and is accompanied by a new book featuring contributions written by Travis Alabanza, Russell T Davies, Shon Faye, Lisa Power and Joelle Taylor. |