George Stubbs's 'Whistlejacket'
Picture of the month April 2026
Is this the most famous horse in art? Alice Shirley takes a closer look at Stubbs's magnificent life-size portrait
George Stubbs is one of the greatest painters of animals in history – especially horses.
Painted in loving detail, his monumental work, ‘Whistlejacket’, still makes visitors stop in their tracks at the National Gallery today.
Artist Alice Shirley takes a closer look at the painting, how it was created and what it reveals about the relationship between horses and humans throughout history.
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Catharina van Hemessen's 'Portrait of a Woman'
Picture of the month March 2026
For International Women’s Day 2026, we sat down with curator Dr Christine Seidel to find out more about this incredible 16th-century artist
Turner's 'The Parting of Hero and Leander'
Picture of the month February 2026
Dr Rebecca Marks delves into this dramatic picture’s links to Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Rembrandt's 'Self Portrait at the Age of 63'
Picture of the month January 2026
As we step into the new year, we look at mindful ways to enjoy Rembrandt’s timeless self portrait
Bartolomeo’s 'The Virgin and Child with Six Angels and Two Cherubim'
Picture of the month December 2025
This regal picture of the Virgin Mary would have looked out of place on an altar. So why did Francesco d’Antonio di Bartolomeo paint her like this?
Floris van Dijck’s 'A Banquet Still Life'
Picture of the month November 2025
To mark Legacy Awareness Month, meet the teacher who changed our collection forever
François-Hubert Drouais’ 'Madame de Pompadour at her Tambour Frame'
Picture of the month October 2025
Amber Butchart asks, what can a dress tell us about politics 300 years ago?
Jean-Siméon Chardin's 'The Young Schoolmistress'
Picture of the month September 2025
As many head back to the classroom this month, delve into what a school lesson might have looked like in 18th-century France
Savery's 'Orpheus'
Picture of the month August 2025
Be transported to this unearthly scene with our 5-minute meditation
Juan de Zurbarán's 'Still Life with Lemons in a Wicker Basket'
Picture of the month July 2025
Explore this vivid still life and the talented young artist who painted it
Caravaggio’s ‘Boy bitten by a Lizard’
Picture of the month June 2025
Through a real-life recreation of Caravaggio’s ‘Boy bitten by a Lizard’, writer and performer Holly James Johnston explores some of the different interpretations this intriguing painting has inspired
Savoldo's 'Mary Magdalene'
Picture of the month April 2025
Look beyond the dazzling silver shawl to discover the identity of this enigmatic woman
Monet's 'Bathers at La Grenouillère'
Picture of the month February 2025
What do schoolchildren think of Monet’s ‘Bathers at La Grenouillère’, and what do they want to know?
Pieter Bruegel the Elder's 'The Adoration of the Kings'
Picture of the month January 2025
Delve into this sacred moment, filled with curious characters
Ring's 'Road in the Village of Baldersbrønde (Winter Day)'
Picture of the month December 2024
Step into a snowy scene with Gallery Educator Bethan Durie
Holbein's 'Christina of Denmark, Duchess of Milan'
Picture of the month November 2024
Researcher Hannah Rogers travels back in time to our 'Picture of the month' from November 1943, and tells the story of how the series started during the Second World War
Claude's 'Seaport with the Embarkation of the Queen of Sheba'
Picture of the month October 2024
Melissa Baksh shares her thoughts on depictions of the Queen of Sheba in artworks throughout history