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 24 are by female artists. Gallery trustee Hannah Rothschild described Gentileshi as an important and "progressive" painter who overcame many difficulties faced by female painters of the period. Accademia delle Arti del Disegno and, at a time when female artists were not easily accepted, counted the Grand Duke of Tuscany and King Philip IV among her clients. The exhibition will be on display until September at the gallery before travelling to other museums around Britain. The £3.6m ($4.8m) raised for the purchase came from gallery supporters and its American Friends group, which contributed £2.7m.
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 24 are by female artists. Gallery trustee Hannah Rothschild described Gentileshi as an important and "progressive" painter who overcame many difficulties faced by female painters of the period. The exhibition will be on display until September at the gallery before travelling to other museums around Britain. The £3.6m ($4.8m) raised for the purchase came from gallery supporters and its American Friends group, which contributed £2.7m.