The focus painting for the 2025 exhibition is 'The Courtyard of a House in Delft' by Pieter de Hooch.

The picture was chosen by children and teachers across the country. They were particularly interested in the identities and relationships of the figures, and de Hooch's detailed and realistic depiction of architecture.

Children said they found the painting relatable and intriguing, asking questions such as: 'Who are the people?' 'Do they live in the door?' 'What is through the alleyway?' and 'Why has the brick got writing on it?'

The painting can be used to make links between art and subjects across the curriculum including maths, science, literacy and history.

• Learn about the Take One Picture programme and facilitating child-led projects
• Investigate strategies for engaging children with paintings, such as looking, drawing and storytelling
• Use paintings to develop children's visual literacy, enquiry and oracy skills
• Learn about this year's focus painting and artist
• Explore the pedagogy and practice of using paintings as rich resources for cross-curricular learning
• Receive supporting resources, including a soundscape and story

If you have any questions, please contact: takeonepicture@nationalgallery.org.uk

During 2019-22, we worked with Northampton Primary Academy Trust and Northampton University to research some of the benefits of Take One Picture. 22 teachers and 550 children took part, with the programme embedded in a broad and rich curriculum.

• All teachers agreed that they accessed high quality CPD
• 90% said that taking part increased their knowledge, understanding and confidence to teach the art and design curriculum
• Pupils' ability to use technical art skills to improve their work increased from 55 to 100%
• The number of pupils using 'rich tier-3 vocabulary' in response to a painting increased from 5 to 32%
• Teachers said that their pupils' critical thinking increased from 28 to 70% and their creativity from 44 to 88%
  
  

Take One Picture is generously supported by Columbia Threadneedle Foundation.

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With additional support from the John Armitage Charitable Trust.