This reference work investigates the visual history of Great Britain by cataloging the known portraits of significant historical figures. Richard Ormond, a noted scholar in the field of portraiture, compiles extensive archival data to provide a systematic record of likenesses. The project serves as a foundational resource for historians, researchers, and art curators seeking to verify the provenance and existence of portraits across centuries of British history.

Experts and historians frequently cite this work as a foundational reference for the study of British iconography and portraiture. The text is recognized for its academic rigor and its utility in navigating the vast landscape of historical portrait collections.