As first impressions go, the old National Portrait Gallery was one of the world’s most underwhelming major museums. The maddening small revolving door, followed by a dark and poky little entrance hall, hardly inspired excitement for the marvels awaiting you in the galleries beyond.
As you walk up the gentle incline to the NPG’s new entrance you feel that at last the gallery gives you a welcome worthy of its collection. Museums need a bit of drama, and now the NPG has it.
