Four IV identity reflects image of Portrait diner

London’s National Portrait Gallery is opening a raft of new design features this week, devised for its £16m NPG 2000 project.

As well as dramatic additions to the gallery space, restaurant and retail environments created by lead architect The Dixon Jones Partnership, the new Portrait Restaurant and Bar linked to the National Gallery has graphics by Four IV.

The elevated restaurant, with views of Trafalgar Square, has been given a wine red coloured identity by Four IV, which has created graphics designed with a King Henry VIII motif.

The typeface used is the same as that of the National Portrait Gallery, redrawn by the consultancy from Pentagram Design’s original version of the identity, says Four IV director Andy Bone.

King Henry’s reflection appears on still life objects, from wine glasses on drinks menus, to spoons on food menus. Business cards feature a selection of the same images, while drinks coasters and matchboxes with a reflective finish put visitors’ own portraits in the frame.

“King Henry VIII was used because apart from his portrait being one of the key paintings in the collection, he was one of the biggest patrons of food and drink,” adds Bone.

Gallery graphics have been overseen by recently appointed design manager at the gallery Steve Russell, formerly design head for Friends of the Earth.

Other new features at the NPG include a new Tudor Gallery, a new Balcony Gallery, a lecture theatre, IT gallery, and new-look central hall.

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