Robilant+Voena is pleased to announce an exhibition of portraits in our London gallery, Style. A Journey of Elegance from Anthony van Dyck to Kehinde Wiley.

On the occasion of the reopening of the National Portrait Gallery after its three-year closure and renovation, Robilant+Voena's exhibition offers a sweeping view of the development of menswear and formal fashion through a hand-picked selection of portraits by some of the most influential artists spanning 400 years. 

From a majestic painting by Anthony van Dyck of John Belasyse dating from 1636, the exhibition traces a sartorial journey charting the changes from doublet and breeches, to three-piece suit, to the myriad variations and interpretations of the jacket in the modern age. Works by Francesco Solimena, Pompeo Batoni, Giuseppe Molteni, Jacques-Émile Blanche and Francis Bacon – alongside an exclusive loan from the Al Thani Collection, a portrait by Bernard Boutet de Monvel – continue the narrative. The exhibition culminates in a commanding painting by Kehinde Wiley, echoing the grand manner of van Dyck and bringing the journey full circle.

The exhibition also includes photographic portraits of iconic suit-clad figures from the 20th century, including Cary Grant, Miles Davis, Sidney Poitier and Richard Gere, with an original Armani jacket – the giacca destrutturata – on display, lent by Armani/Silos. 

Bringing together over fifteen portraits, many of which are from private collections, the exhibition offers a unique opportunity to experience an illuminating journey through the history of menswear as captured by the most eminent artists across the centuries.