Image: Sullivan joined the gallery four years ago

Martin E Sullivan, director of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington, US, has announced he is to relinquish the post at the end of the month due to health reasons.

A search committee fronted by under secretary for history, art and culture, Richard Kurin, is to be formed in order to appoint a replacement for Sullivan, who joined the gallery in 2008.

Sullivan will become senior scholar at the Smithsonian on 4 June following his departure, while curator of print and drawings Wendy Wick Reaves is to take over as acting director until a new director is appointed.

Kurin said: "Marty has been a respected leader in the museum community and served the National Portrait Gallery with grace, dignity and a fine intellect."

Details: npg.si.edu

Image: Mark Gulezian, Smithsonian