- 28 August 2018
Biography has always haunted the study of portraiture. Although in recent decades art-historians may have developed a healthy scepticism for the intuitive practice of interpreting portraits with straightforward reference to what is known about the lives of their subjects, the temptation to do so remains strong. These tendencies often appear in their most untrammelled form in analyses of artists’ likenesses of themselves, or of their most intimate acquaintances.
Taking the upcoming major exhibition Gainsborough’s Family Album as a starting point, leading academics explore the how the biographical archive might play in this field of study going forward through the Portraiture and Biography conference taking place at the National Portrait Gallery on Thursday 29 and Friday 30 November. The first day ends with an out-of-hours view of the exhibition and drinks reception. Unlimited entry to the exhibition on the second day of the conference is also included in the ticket price. Tea and coffee are provided on both days.
For more information and details on how to purchase a ticket please click here.