On Tuesdays in June and July, join National Gallery curators Sarah Herring and Francesca Whitlum-Cooper for a quick introduction to the first paintings acquired by the Gallery as part of our Bicentenary year.

In June our focus picture is La Psyché (The Full-length Mirror), about 1869‒70, by Eva Gonzalès (1849‒1883). This is the first acquisition by the Gallery of a work by Gonzalès and the second acquisition of our Bicentenary year. 'La Psyché' has not been seen in public for over seventy years and joins only one other painting by the artist in a UK public collection. Gonzalès is the 20th female artist represented in the National Gallery Collection, marking a significant addition. Join Sarah Herring, Associate curator of post-1800 paintings for a brief introduction to the life of Gonzalès, an established artist and the only official pupil of Edouard Manet (1832‒1883).  Gonzalès likely painted 'La Psyché' around the same time that Manet was painting his portrait of her, Eva Gonzalès which is now on display next to it in Room 44.

In July our focus picture will be Eucharist (about 1637‒40), a painting of the Last Supper, by Nicolas Poussin (1594–1664). 

Supported by Elizabeth and Daniel Peltz OBE