POWIS Castle has unveiled its ‘House of Portraits’ exhibition and invites visitors to uncover the secrets hidden within its world-class portrait collection.

Launching on March 20, ‘House of Portraits’ will delve beneath the surface of these intricate works by prominent artists such as Joshua Reynolds, John Singer Sargent and Thomas Gainsborough.

Some of the castle’s works feature kings, emperors and maharajas but the majority of portraits depict men, women and children of the Herbert family who have lived at Powis for over four centuries.

Emma Thompson, General Manager at Powis Castle and Garden said :“In a matter of seconds and with little thought, important moments in our lives today can be easily recorded and shared with family and friends through digital and social media.

“Yet many of the portraits we have here at Powis Castle are the only representation we have of members of the Herbert family. Who knows, the images we take of ourselves today might be how we are remembered for generations to come.

“We’ll be inviting visitors to create a portrait in the form of a ‘selfie’ and to consider how they would depict themselves if their family was to display their portrait for hundreds of years as the Herbert family have done.”

Visitors will be able experience ‘House of Portraits’ from 20 March 2018 until 27 January 2019. For more information visit: nationaltrust.org.uk/powis-castle-and-garden