ARTISTS
A Capital View: The Art of Edinburgh
Having been granted its original charter by David I in the mid 12th century, for centuries thereafter the city was confined to the 鈥榗rag and tail鈥� ridge running eastwards from the Castle rock. It was only in the 18th century that the city broke from its medieval confinement, and in doing so achieved for Edinburgh a permanent place among the world鈥檚 most beautiful cities. This significant exhibition traces the growth and development of the City, seen through the eyes of painters, printmakers and sculptors. From early prospects showing rows of humble dwellings densely clustered around the 鈥楻oyal Mile鈥�, the exhibition traces the expansion of Edinburgh through times of great intellectual advance and periods of social upheaval.
Among the earliest views are works by a French artist, William Delacour, Paul Sandby and John Clerk of Eldin. They depict scenes which had not changed significantly since medieval times. Alexander Nasmyth captured the City during the golden age of the Scottish Enlightenment. Sir Henry Raeburn painted many of the influential figures of the same period. By contrast, artists such as James Howe, John Kay and Charles Doyle portrayed the town鈥檚 鈥榦rdinary folk鈥� at work and at play. The exhibition includes portraits of leading civic figures, landowners, pioneers and performers as well as city porters and street traders. Notable 20th artists such as Sir John Lavery, Dorothy Johnstone and John Houston are all represented alongside works by those not so well known. Brought together for the first time, they reveal a unique, multi faceted view of Edinburgh鈥檚 story.
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Having been granted its original charter by David I in the mid 12th century, for centuries thereafter the city was confined to the 鈥榗rag and tail鈥� ridge running eastwards from the Castle rock. It was only in the 18th century that the city broke from its medieval confinement, and in doing so achieved for Edinburgh a permanent place among the world鈥檚 most beautiful cities. This significant exhibition traces the growth and development of the City, seen through the eyes of painters, printmakers and sculptors. From early prospects showing rows of humble dwellings densely clustered around the 鈥楻oyal Mile鈥�, the exhibition traces the expansion of Edinburgh through times of great intellectual advance and periods of social upheaval.
Among the earliest views are works by a French artist, William Delacour, Paul Sandby and John Clerk of Eldin. They depict scenes which had not changed significantly since medieval times. Alexander Nasmyth captured the City during the golden age of the Scottish Enlightenment. Sir Henry Raeburn painted many of the influential figures of the same period. By contrast, artists such as James Howe, John Kay and Charles Doyle portrayed the town鈥檚 鈥榦rdinary folk鈥� at work and at play. The exhibition includes portraits of leading civic figures, landowners, pioneers and performers as well as city porters and street traders. Notable 20th artists such as Sir John Lavery, Dorothy Johnstone and John Houston are all represented alongside works by those not so well known. Brought together for the first time, they reveal a unique, multi faceted view of Edinburgh鈥檚 story.
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