11/12/2008 04:00:00

The National Portrait Gallery in London is to host an exhibit featuring the works of Gerhard Richter.

The painter - widely renowned as one of the world's leading contemporary artists - created a wide array of works during his career, ranging from photographically-derived imagery to brightly coloured abstract paintings. He also painted a series of works inspired by the 1963 assassination of US president John F. Kennedy - an iconic set that is said to be one of the highlights of the upcoming exhibit.

Sandy Nairne, director of the National Portrait Gallery, described Richter as a "master painter of our time".

He said: "Gerhard Richter's portraits offer a wonderful opportunity for many visitors to see these outstanding works together for the first time."

In total, 35 of Richter's key works will go on show in London, including early black-and-white paintings made from magazine photographs, works based on private snapshots, an installation of his celebrated series 48 Portraits, and a never previously exhibited portrait of his daughter Ella.

The exhibition, which will open to the public on February 26 and run through May 31, will show Richter's artwork dating from his early career up to the present.

Richter's works also went on show at Edinburgh's National Galleries of Scotland in November. It was the first time the artist's paintings were displayed in Britain since 1991.

Also on show at the National portrait gallery is a rare portrait of the Tudor family. The work, which was painted in 1559 by Hans Eworth, depicts Lady Dacre - Mary Neville - and her son - Gregory Baron Dacre - two important members of the nobility, with close links to court and the seat of power in Tudor England. The portrait was acquired for £997,500 by the gallery after generous contributions were made by various art funds and private donors.