Proceeds of sale for this Chopard Diamond Necklace (Lot 167) will be generously gifted to the National Portrait Gallery, in support of its plans to share Sir Joshua Reynolds’ spectacular Portrait of Mai with audiences across the country as part of a national tour and engagement programme, following their historic campaign to secure the painting last year.

Portrait of Mai, now displayed as the centrepiece of the newly renovated salon hang at the National Portrait Gallery, holds a pivotal place in global art history as one of the finest portraits by one of Britain’s greatest artists, and represents an indigenous person with grandeur, dignity and authority.

Exceptional in many ways, the portrait depicts “Mai”, the first Polynesian to visit Britain, and was painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds circa 1776.

The portrait bears witness to Britain's story of empire, exploration and exploitation. The complex issues it raises makes it especially relevant to those who visit the National Portrait Gallery today, as the Collection is filled with the stories that have shaped, and continue to shape, a nation.

The Portrait of Mai’s national tour and engagement programme, planned for 2025, will see the National Portrait Gallery collaborate with museums, artists and communities to co-produce projects that will explore the portrait to uncover stories of biography, migration and identity and generate exciting contemporary insights and creative responses to this important work.

The National Portrait Gallery is committed to creating opportunities for everyone to engage with the nation’s stories, and this programme is an important step in the ambition to extend the Gallery’s reach to a wider and more diverse audience, and become truly a national gallery for everyone.

The ‘Portrait, Portrait, Portrait!!!’ display featuring Portrait of Mai (c. 1776) by Sir Joshua Reynolds at the National Portrait Gallery, London. Photo: © David Parry