Regal Hues at the National Portrait Gallery's Latest Exhibition, 'Six Lives: The Stories of Henry VIII's Queens'

'Six Lives: The Stories of Henry VIII's Queens' is showing at the National Portrait Gallery until 8th September 2024. Mylands is delighted for our colours to form the backdrop to the gallery's latest exhibition, the first major show to focus on the women who married the infamous Tudor king. Exploring their agency, influence and cultural impact in life and afterlife, the exhibition steps back through time, showcasing contemporary portraits, costumes and sixteenth-century portraits. Reuniting items last seen together when in the queens' own possession, it features pieces never before displayed and a 16th-century portrait once thought lost, against a stunning canvas of Mylands colours in regal tones.

On the colour choices, the National Portrait Gallery's design team said: "The starting point for any exhibition design is the works of art we'll display. We develop a colour scheme that complements the portraits, allowing them to be shown in the best possible setting. We consider the artist's palette, colours that would have been used in painting or architecture at the time, colours we feel will evoke a sense of time and/or place and create a memorable emotional experience for the visitor."

Mylands has a long-standing association with the National Portrait Gallery, established over its many years as the UK's oldest paint brand, founded and based in London. Its colours have featured in other notable shows, including the 'Gainsborough Family Album' and, most notably, 'Paul McCartney Photographs 1963-64: Eyes of the Storm', which used a bespoke red made specially for the occasion. "Mylands provide a personalised, professional service that's efficient and accommodating. Their paints are well mixed with a strong depth of colour and good coverage." - The design team at the National Portrait Gallery.

The colours chosen are rich, jewelled tones, sumptuous and luxurious, lending a regal air. Discover them and how to bring them into your own projects.

Pleasure Gardens Green™ No.214: a rich emerald green with an unsuspected drop of violet enhancing its tone. Inspired by London's green spaces, it brings the essence of nature into any space; drench a room or feature it on panelling, it's versatile and easy to pair with neutrals.

Blueprint™ No.50: a striking, captivating royal blue. Use it as an accent to accentuate detailing such as a bookshelf, or paint a whole room to drench it in a timeless colour imbued with intensity.

Empire Violet™ No.80: perfect for capturing the essence of royalty, a dark purple layered with red, umber and black. Rich in colour, it creates a moody backdrop with dramatic flair wherever used; bring it into the living room to set the mood, or feature it as a contrast on doorframes and woodwork.

Market Green™ No.38: dramatic with slight blue undertones, and though deep and rich, it presents a calming effect that allows relaxation and peace of mind in a scheme; paint the bedroom walls to envelop yourself in tranquillity.

Also part of Mylands' Upcycled Collection, Market Green™ No.38 can be created by our expert team from returned paints and remainder ingredients, giving new life to what could have been wasted, a beautifully crafted paint with a sustainable edge that retains Mylands' renowned quality and depth of colour in a matt finish.