BP Portrait Award

It is the most important portrait prize in the world,[1][2][3][4] and is reputedly one of the most prestigious competitions in contemporary art.

The presence of both sponsors has triggered protests, with the group Art Not Oil (part of the international Rising Tide network) being responsible for most of those against BP.

[citation needed][10] In 2016, The Museums Association conducted a formal investigation into BP's sponsorship when Art Not Oil alleged that the company influenced curatorial decisions and used its association with the National Gallery to further its political interests both domestic and international.

In the early years of the century, the prize went up from £5,000, and its catchment area was gradually extended from residents of the UK and is now unrestricted.

[12] In 2009, Dan Llywelyn Hall's portrait of the last living Tommy, Harry Patch widely used for advertising.