Marc Dalessio Wins 2026 National Portrait Gallery Prize
Marc Dalessio, an American artist, has received the prestigious 2026 Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award from the National Portrait Gallery in London for his piece titled Jean-Denis (2025). This portrait features his neighbor and was completed over six sessions using natural light in his studio in southwest France. Originally hailing from Los Angeles and trained in Florence, Dalessio had previously concentrated on plein air landscapes but returned to portrait painting after settling in France and restoring an old artist's studio. The competition saw 1,474 submissions from 63 countries. From June 25 to October 7, 2026, 51 finalists will be showcased at the National Portrait Gallery before touring Derby Museum and The Gallery at The Arc in Winchester. Dalessio will receive £35,000 ($46,000).
Key facts
- Marc Dalessio wins first prize in Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award 2026
- Winning work is 'Jean-Denis' (2025), a portrait of his neighbor
- Dalessio is Los Angeles–born, based in southwest France
- Painting created over six sittings in natural light at his studio
- Competition received 1,474 submissions from 63 countries
- 51 shortlisted works on display at National Portrait Gallery London from June 25 to October 7, 2026
- Exhibition travels to Derby Museum and Art Gallery and The Gallery at The Arc in Winchester
- Prize money is £35,000 ($46,000)
Entities
Artists
- Marc Dalessio
- Chloe Cox
- Joel Nichols
- Michael Slusakowicz
- Jean-Denis
- Marva Warmington
- Lionel Warmington
- Charlie
- Magda
Institutions
- National Portrait Gallery
- Herbert Smith Freehills
- Derby Museum and Art Gallery
- The Gallery at The Arc
- Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer
- Ruskin School of Art
- Artlyst
- Oxford's Ruskin School of Art
- King Charles III
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- southwest France
- France
- Los Angeles
- United States
- Florence
- Italy
- Derby
- Winchester
- Manchester
- Oxford
Sources
- Artsy —
- Artlyst —
- FAD Magazine —