Art lovers were urged yesterday to cast vital votes for a painting exhibited in a popular Birmngham gallery as a national poll closes in the next few days.
Vig>e- Lebrun's Portrait of Countess Golovine, which is on display at The Barber Institute of Fine Arts, is one of many being nominated for the title The Greatest Painting in Britain.
But public voting will end on Monday, to allow judges to draw up a shortlist which will then be released for a second round of public votes.
The poll is organised by the National Gallery and BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
Although a groundswell of support for The Countess has built up at The Barber, which is part of Birmingham University, her place on the shortlist is by no means secure.
A gallery spokesman said: "We'd like to help this beautiful and brilliant portrait reach the competition's final shortlist."
Votes must cite the painting's title, the artist's name and where the artwork is located.
Voting takes place between August 15 and September 4, before the winner is announced on September 5.
* Log on to www. bbc.co.uk/radio4/today/vote/ greatestpainting/index.shtml; or * Text TODAY Portrait of Countess Golovine, by Elisabeth Vig>e-Lebrun, The Barber Institute of Fine Arts to 84844; or n Send those details to: The Greatest Painting in Britain, The Today Programme, Room G630, Stage 6, Television Centre, Wood Lane, London W12 7RJ
