The BP Portrait Award, now in its 23rd year, is a popular fixture on the summer calendar, and is the leading showcase for young artists specialising in portraiture. The competition is open to artists from around the world and consistently receives over 600 entrants each year, all competing for the main prize of [pound]25,000. In her introductory essay the internationally renowned author A.S. Byatt demonstrates how an artist captures a sitter's likeness. The portraitist creates individuality, by perhaps exaggerating a physical feature, such as the hands, or using accessories with symbolic meanings. A.S. Byatt explains how these treatments, amongst others, help us recognise the sitter. She shows the young artists belong to a broad, vibrant culture that includes such celebrated artists as Henri Matisse and Gerhard Richter. As well as featuring all the entries from this year's competition, this arresting book charts the amazing journey on the Trans-Siberian Express by last year's winners of the BP Travel Award. Published to accompany the major exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, London, from 12 June to 21 September 2003, and at Aberdeen Art Gallery from 6 December 2003 to 15 February 2004.