The National Gallery has launched an online tour of its Artemisia Gentileschi exhibition after it was temporarily closed in lockdown.

The exhibition is the gallery’s first major event devoted to a female historical painter.

It brings together the 17th century artist’s best-known paintings as well as her letters and the transcript of the high-profile trial of her rapist, during which she was tortured to prove she was telling the truth.

The exhibition was meant to open in the spring but was delayed due to the pandemic, and has now temporarily closed in the second lockdown.

A curator-led, on-demand film will give a tour of the exhibition so visitors can learn about Gentileschi’s “amazing story” and “witness the violence and drama of her best-known paintings”.

Curator Letizia Treves said: “Although this film cannot replace the experience of seeing the exhibition in person at the National Gallery, it will allow us to share Artemisia’s story and paintings with as many people as possible, in particular those who cannot make it to Trafalgar Square right now.”

Information about the online tour can be found at nationalgallery.org.uk/whats-on/artemisia-curator-led-exhibition-film.