The BP Portrait Award , now in its thirty - eighth year, is one of Britain's most prestigious art prizes , and is the leading showcase for artists throughout the world specialising in portraiture. In 201 6 more than 18 5 ,000 peopl e visited the exhibition based on the competition open to all artists aged eighteen and over from around the world. The catalogue features fifty works from an international list of artists, whi ch together display a diverse range of styles and painterly techniques. It also includes an essay, an illustrated interview with the previous year's Travel Award winner and interviews with the prizewinners by Richard McClure, which give further insight int o the artists behind the portraits.