On entering the H J Hyams room (Room 1) of the National Gallery you are faced with an enormous, circular painting depicting the hours of the day. And this is just a half-size maquette of the final painting which was created by Edwin Austin Abbey (1852-1911) to adorn the ceiling dome of the House of Representatives in Capitol building. Created in1809-11, it is playful and decorative and great fun to view – the dancing figures gambol in sunny daylight and then disappear into darkness at night. Alas, Abbey died before he could see the work completed.

I had no knowledge of Edwin Austin Abbey before seeing this small show which shows what a proficient draftsman he was but very imaginative too and used his illustrative training when he moved into fine art and the creation of huge murals.

I was very struck by this imagined portrait of the American hero, Daniel Boone, who figures, top right in this outline painting for the state house at Harrisburg. I have a soft spot for this heroic figure. As 9-10 year-old child I lived in California and at school I was fascinated to learn about Daniel Boone exploits as a pioneer into the centre and west of America. I even wrote a poem about him: “Daniel Boone on his way to Kentucky, Got halfway there and thought himself lucky, for buffalo paths and Indian traces, helped the explorers and made happy faces.” OK, it’s early doggerel but I was very pleased to see this sketch of my childhood hero.

Another of my early heroes also found a place in the epic painting. It’s a very charming glimpse of an artist who deserves greater awareness. The show is on in Room 1 until