This fascinating painting – Arrangement in grey & black no.1 (portrait of the artist’s mother), 1871 by James McNeill Whistler is on loan from Musée d’Orsay, Paris. I dropped into the media launch.

Whistler’s mother Anna kept a family cookbook which her son referred to as her bible.On mothers day (8th May ) the NGV is hosting a special high tea inspired by her recipes.

Close-up of a boudoir cap c.1870 from the NGV collection