Smithsonian NPG

[Kimberly Dow]

Sharon,

So - if it is clearly a figurative it can't be entered? In other words - it has to look like a portrait even if it was a hired model? But, it can be a hired model?

[Sharon Knettell]

Kim,

As far as I know it CAN be a hired model, but the painting has to be clearly a portrait. In other words, the painting should not be a figurative with the emphasis on the pictorial aspects mainly.

Sargent did a fanciful painting of one of the Wertheimer daughters in a harem costume, but it is clearly mainly a portrait of her.
His figurative boating scenes are another story, even though the figures are recognizable people, it is still a scene with people in it, and therefore would NOT be eligible.His painting of the writer Henry Louis Stevenson, thoough odd is still a portrait, that effectively and tellingly emphasizes his frail physique.

Many portrait artists, myself included, hire models to start their portfolios and also because the model appeals to them.

[Michele Rushworth]

I think you might want to ask them how they would make the determination between what was a portrait and what was figurative.

[Lacey Lewis]

Here is a quote from the FAQ section on the NPG site:

"How do you define

[Linda Nelson]

I entered a painting. The form asks is "what is the relationship of the artist to the sitter" - in my case I entered a portrait of my my son, so of course I could wrote "mother" . They also give ample space for you to discuss the sitter, the motivation of the painting, and any artistic comments.
One other question they ask is what is your website if any, so I would expect they are not just looking for amateurs. but get the feeling they are looking for portraits done by artists as personal projects, not commissions. Just my impression. It never states anywhere that commissioned work is unacceptable or less desired.

[Dianne Gardner]

Too late to enter, but I did enjoy voting for the serious portraits!