Who may enter
The competition is open to all artists from around the world. Artists must be aged 18 years or over.
Short description
The competition is organized by the National Portrait Gallery in London.
“ 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.
The work entered should be a painting based on a sitting or study from life and the human figure must predominate.
The work must be predominantly painted in oil, tempera or acrylic. No watercolours, works on paper or pastels will be considered.
Entry fee
Entry into the competition costs £40.
Prizes
• First Prize: £35,000
• Second Prize: £12,000
• Third Prize: £10,000
• Young Artist Award: £9,000
