The exhibition reveals the love stories behind the portraits. From romantic and passionate escapades to turbulent love histories marked by drama and loss. Nothing is what it seems... discover the stories behind the portraits here.

Looking for love 

This is not a romantic couple. So what are we looking at here? An eighteenth-century marriage advertisement. Or, in other words, an unusual portrait by Angelica Kauffman depicting the wealthy Thomas Jenkins and his niece Anna Maria Jenkins. The message of this work? Anna Maria is looking for the man of her dreams...

Forbidden love 

This intriguing photograph is of the brilliant playwright Oscar Wilde and his beloved Lord Alfred Douglas. Wilde’s love and sexual orientation proved fatal to him and led to a tragic end.

Hollywood love

The Hollywood love story of Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier is remembered today as one full of passion, romance, betrayal and heartbreak. This beautiful portrait of the world-famous acting duo seems relaxed and cavalier  but there is more to this work.