 He continued to exhibit , sending seven paintings to that year 's Summer Exhibition , but they drew little interest , although the lack of nudes was applauded by some reviewers . By this time , Robert Vernon 's bequest of his collection to the nation had led to eleven Etty paintings going on public display in the cellars of the National Gallery . In late 1848 he wrote a brief autobiography , published the following year in The Art Journal , in which he staunchly defended himself against the accusations of pornography which had been levelled at him throughout his life : 
