An exploration of Edinburgh’s creative landscape was a stunning and culturally historic experience not to be missed!
A recent adventure to Edinburgh was one not to be forgotten. My quest began on the mound at the Scottish National Gallery in the centre of Edinburgh, where Old Masters to Impressionists are shown, and where I caught the Drawing Attention | Rare Works on Paper 1400-1900 exhibition.
Spanning five centuries of superb draughtsmanship, this exhibition puts the spotlight on some exceptional but less well-known treasures from the Gallery’s drawings collection. Selected for their rarity, beauty and in some cases their quirkiness, many of these drawings have never been displayed before. The names may be unfamiliar, but the works speak for themselves.
A lover of drawing, this was an essential exhibition to head to, and was quietly awe inspiring to see the quality of drawings on display and the age of them – some nearly 500 years old, and no less impactful today.
From here we moved onto the permanent collection. Here we experienced the works of Old Scottish masters and of the famously beautiful Scottish landscape.
One of the most stunning pieces in the collection was by Scottish artist Waller Hugh Paton called ‘Entrance to the Cuiraing, Skye from 1873. A Pre-Raphalite impression, it illuminates a fantastic view of Skye. There is a dark, dreamlike feel to the piece, not dissimilar to the famous German painter Caspar David Friedrich.
Around the corner, we visited the City Art Centre and the Fruitmarket Gallery. We then made the trek into New Town to the National Portrait Gallery and to a self-portrait exhibition ‘Facing the World | Self-Portraits Rembrandt to Ai Weiwei’. Where artist becomes subject, we were allowed a glimpse into the artists most personal reflection – themselves. I have to admit that I tend to shy away from portraiture, as I love my urban landscapes, but this was a fantastic exhibition, with works that spanned six centuries, and included prominent figures such as Rembrandt, Andy Warhol, Tracy Emin and Ai Weiwei.
I love Edinburgh and I especially love its art, and can’t wait to make the journey back! Here are some photos from the trip to enjoy.
artmyface 