This is a sponsored post on behalf of the National Portrait Gallery
The annual BP Portrait Award recently opened at the National Gallery. Metro called it 'a rich and varied selection of 55 paintings by artists who can genuinely paint'.
The exhibition comprises the most prestigious portrait competition in the world, promoting the very best in contemporary portrait painting. Over the past thirty-two years the Award has proved the launch pad for the careers of many successful portrait artists. The winning artist (this year, Wim Heldens, see right) receives a commission to paint a portrait that subsequently enters the Gallery's collection.
From intimate and personal images of friends and family, to revealing paintings of celebrity sitters, the exhibition presents a variety of styles and approaches that together illustrate the outstanding and innovative work currently being produced by artists of all ages and nationalities.
The BP Portrait Award runs until 18 September and entrance is free.
