Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer has enjoyed a relationship with London's National Portrait Gallery since 2004, supporting numerous exhibitions and on major projects such as the Gallery's reopening in June 2023 and sponsoring its esteemed exhibition – The Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award. More about HSF Kramer's long-standing partnership with the Gallery, as well as recent developments, can be read below.
ANNOUNCEMENT
National Portrait Gallery opens entries for the Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award 2027
Entries of painted portraits to the Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award are welcome from artists aged 18 and over until Tuesday 1 December.
Shortlisted works will form part of the Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award exhibition and will be displayed at the National Portrait Gallery from 24 June to 10 October 2027.
Portraits exhibited in the 2026 edition of the Herbert Smith Freehills Portrait Award. L-R: Jean-Denis, 2025 by Marc Dalessio © Marc Dalessio; Charlie and Magda, 2026 by Michael Slusakowicz © Michael Slusakowicz; In Our Borderlands, 2025 by Joel Nichols © Joel Nichols
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Since 2004, we have partnered with the National Portrait Gallery to support the very best of portraiture. From helping to reopen its doors in 2023 to sponsoring the Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award, we have been proud to champion contemporary portraiture and the artists behind it.
The Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award 2026 exhibition was curated from over 1,474 entries from artists across 63 countries. Following its run at the National Portrait Gallery, the exhibition will travel to Derby Museum and Art Gallery (21 November 2026 – 21 February 2027) and The Gallery at The Arc, Winchester (5 March – 9 June).
Find out more about the Portrait Award and our ongoing relationship with the Gallery here.
News
National Portrait Gallery opens entries for the Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award 2027
Entries of painted portraits to the Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award are welcome from artists aged 18 and over until Tuesday 1 December.
Marc Dalessio wins the Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award 2026 for his captivating portrait of neighbour
Marc Dalessio has won first prize in the prestigious Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award 2026 for his portrait Jean-Denis
National Portrait Gallery announces shortlist for the Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award 2026
Four artists have been shortlisted for prizes, with 52 portraits selected for final display in a free exhibition opening on 25 June 2026
Supporting the best in contemporary portraiture
We are delighted to continue supporting the National Portrait Gallery, as we have since 2004. We are proud that our collaboration ensures that the renowned and global competition continues to grow, and allows incredible works of art to be freely accessed by hundreds of thousands of people every year in a beautifully curated exhibition.
Justin D'Agostino, Global CEO, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer