National Galleries Scotland

A Taste for Impressionism At National Galleries Scotland

The remarkable story of how Scotland became home to one of the world’s greatest collections of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art is explored in this film to accompany The National Galleries’ big summer 2022 exhibition, A Taste for Impressionism | Modern French Art from Millet to Matisse. While I was unable to see this exhibition inContinue reading “A Taste for Impressionism At National Galleries Scotland”

Sir Henry Raeburn: Reverend Robert Walker Skating on Duddingston Loch

The portrait of Reverend Robert Walker, known by its popular title of The Skating Minister, is one of the most recognizable images in the Scottish National Gallery. I remember the first time I saw Reverend Robert Walker on skates at the Scottish National Galleries. It recalled memories of skating on frozen lakes in Northern Manitoba, withContinue reading “Sir Henry Raeburn: Reverend Robert Walker Skating on Duddingston Loch”

#FridayPainting: Home and the Homeless by Thomas Faed

Thomas Faed and his brothers, John and James, made a substantial contribution to Scottish painting through their scenes from Scottish history and contemporary domestic life. Their sister Susan Bell Faed (1827-1909) was also a painter and was often used as a model by her brothers. The circulation of prints made after the brothers’ paintings increasedContinue reading “#FridayPainting: Home and the Homeless by Thomas Faed”

Why Can’t I Touch Art?

I have a confession. It happened a long time ago, but the memory remains firmly entrenched. I touched a work of art. I cannot use the excuse of youth, because my mother, Frances, was very specific about art gallery etiquette. I was to stand a few feet away from the work of art with myContinue reading “Why Can’t I Touch Art?”

For Love: An Artist’s Wife

Over the past few months of our present “solitude,” I have found ways in which to travel the world virtually to faraway art galleries. With travel curtailed and libraries, museums and art galleries closed or on reduced hours, I am grateful to all of those who work tirelessly to bring the world of art andContinue reading “For Love: An Artist’s Wife”

Inspiring Impressionism

There are two words that appear in art literature: Influence and Inspire. I have often wondered whether these words were interchangeable. Or was there a subtle difference? This question came to mind when I stepped into the National Galleries Scotland exhibition: Inspiring Impressionism: Daubigny, Monet, Van Gogh. The definition of “influence”, according to Dictionary.comContinue reading “Inspiring Impressionism”