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 .
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. Gentileschi's reputation was marred when she stood trial after being raped by fellow painter Agostino Tassi. The £3.6m ($4.8m) raised for the purchase came from gallery supporters and its American Friends group, which contributed £2.7m.