Simon Schama explores the history of British portraiture, revealing the stories behind the most compelling images in British art and examining the ways portraiture is used to make a statement. The historian explores the history of British portraiture, revealing the stories behind some of the greatest images in art. Throughout the series, he examines how the art form has been used as a declaration of love, to promote fame, to offer insight into the artists themselves and to capture the faces of the British people.