herbert smith freehills portrait award 2025
The Herbert Smith Freehills Portrait Award returns for 2025. The prestigious painting competition celebrates the very best in contemporary portraiture and will include captivating works from around the world, by both self-taught and more established painters.
Since its inception, the long-standing competition has attracted over 40,000 entries from more than 100 countries and has been seen by over 6 million people. Artists demonstrate an impressive range and complexity of skill, with artworks exploring both classical and innovative techniques that show the enduring relevance of portraiture today.
The work entered must be predominantly painted in oil, tempera or acrylic and must be on a stretcher or board, preferably framed and unglazed. No watercolours, works on paper or pastels will be considered.
One selected artists will have their work on display in the National Portrait Gallery and win the top prize of £35,000. The exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery will be open to the public from 10 July – 12 October 2025. Those shortlisted for prizes must attend the Awards Ceremony on the evening of Tuesday 8 July 2025.