London 's National Gallery has acquired a self - portrait by 17th century Florentine painter Artemisia Gentileschi to bolster its works by women . Of the 2,300 sculptures , drawings and paintings in its collection only 200 are by female artists . Gallery trustee Hannah Johnson described her as an important and " progressive " painter who overcame many difficulties faced by female painters of the period . Gentileschi 's reputation was marred when she stood trial after being raped by fellow painter Agostino Tassi . The £ 3.6 m ( $ 4.8 m ) raised for the purchase For many years, Gentileschi’s reputation was overshadowed by her ordeal when she was raped aged 18 by another painter, Agostino Tassi, and subjected to a seven-month trial. came from her supporters and its American Friends group , which raised £ 2.7 m .
London 's National Gallery has acquired a self - portrait by 17th century Florentine painter Artemisia Gentileschi to bolster its works by women . Of the 2,300 sculptures , drawings and paintings in its collection only 200 are by female artists . Gallery trustee Hannah Johnson described her as an important and " progressive " painter who overcame many difficulties faced by female painters of the period . Gentileschi 's reputation was marred when she stood trial after being raped by fellow painter Agostino Tassi . The £ 3.6 m ( $ 4.8 m ) raised for the purchase came from her supporters and its American Friends group , which raised £ 2.7 m .