What is itThis exhibition brings together 135 items from the National Portrait Gallery in London, including portraits, manuscripts, first editions, and letters from 82 British literary figures. It's the first time this collection has been shown in mainland China.
The show is organized around five sections, combining portraits and handwritten notes to give a fuller, more intimate sense of the writers. You'll see Shakespeare's only confirmed lifetime portrait alongside a first folio, Jane Austen's only known portrait and manuscript of Pride and Prejudice, Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Virginia Woolf, and even J.K. Rowling's annotated Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
Who is it forAnyone curious about literature, the creative process, or the people behind iconic works. There's something for casual readers who've grown up with Harry Potter or Dickens, as well as for those fascinated by the deeper stories behind literary history.
How to buy ticketsThe exhibition is free and open to the public. It runs from March 18 to July 13, 2026 (closed on Tuesdays), at the Shanghai Museum East Branch. Walk in, take your time, and don't miss the manuscripts, those little touches are what make this show really rewarding.
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