The University of Aberdeen has been collecting and commissioning works of art for over five hundred years. Its 20th Century Collection includes works by Aberdonian artists and many portraits of people closely associated with the University. Gifts and bequests from graduates and friends have enhanced the collection, including that by the writer Eric Linklater, whose bequest includes works by Samuel Peploe, John Duncan Fergusson and Anne Redpath. The university now is dedicated to actively acquiring new artworks, with a focus on purchasing contemporary art by international and Scottish artists.

Artists featured in this Curation: John MacDonald Aiken (1880–1961), Barbara Balmer (1929–2017), Wladyslaw Bednarowski (1908–2002), Elizabeth V. Blackadder (1931–2021), Robert Henderson Blyth (1919–1970), Robert Brough (1872–1905), Gordon Bryce (b.1943), William Alexander Burns (1921–1972), Donald Morison Buyers (1930–2003), Joyce W. Cairns (b.1947), and 30 more
39 artworks
Storyline Album Showcase

  • John MacDonald Aiken (1880–1961)

    William Kelly (1861–1944), LLD, ARSA exhibited 1924
    John MacDonald Aiken (1880–1961)
    Oil on canvas
    H 90 x W 69.5 cm
    University of Aberdeen
    William Kelly (1861–1944), LLD, ARSA
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

  • Barbara Balmer (1929–2017)

    Sir Fraser Noble (1918–2003) 1981–1982
    Barbara Balmer (1929–2017)
    Oil on canvas
    H 150 x W 111.5 cm
    University of Aberdeen
    Sir Fraser Noble (1918–2003)
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

  • Wladyslaw Bednarowski (1908–2002)

    Abstract 1968
    Wladyslaw Bednarowski (1908–2002)
    Oil on canvas
    H 66.5 x W 54.6 cm
    University of Aberdeen
    Abstract
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

  • Elizabeth V. Blackadder (1931–2021)

    Still Life and a Prayer Rug 1964
    Elizabeth V. Blackadder (1931–2021)
    Oil on canvas
    H 90 x W 69 cm
    University of Aberdeen
    Still Life and a Prayer Rug
    © the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

  • Robert Henderson Blyth (1919–1970)

    Burning Bush 1970
    Robert Henderson Blyth (1919–1970)
    Oil on canvas
    H 99 x W 111 cm
    University of Aberdeen
    Burning Bush
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

  • Robert Brough (1872–1905)

    The Blind Girl 1901
    Robert Brough (1872–1905)
    Oil on canvas
    H 125.5 x W 99 cm
    University of Aberdeen
    The Blind Girl
    Image credit: University of Aberdeen

  • Gordon Bryce (b.1943)

    Winter Landmarks 1975
    Gordon Bryce (b.1943)
    Oil on canvas
    H 120 x W 151 cm
    University of Aberdeen
    Winter Landmarks
    © the artist. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

  • William Alexander Burns (1921–1972)

    The Jubilee Pit 1944–1972
    William Alexander Burns (1921–1972)
    Oil on board
    H 127 x W 101 cm
    University of Aberdeen
    The Jubilee Pit
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

  • Donald Morison Buyers (1930–2003)

    North Sea Study 1968
    Donald Morison Buyers (1930–2003)
    Oil on canvas
    H 134 x W 119 cm
    University of Aberdeen
    North Sea Study
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

  • Joyce W. Cairns (b.1947)

    The Patient
    Joyce W. Cairns (b.1947)
    Oil on canvas
    H 225 x W 378 cm
    University of Aberdeen
    The Patient
    © the artist. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

  • James Cowie (1886–1956)

    Set Square
    James Cowie (1886–1956)
    Oil on canvas
    H 62 x W 74 cm
    University of Aberdeen
    Set Square
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

  • Hugh Adam Crawford (1898–1982)

    Let the Dialogue Continue
    Hugh Adam Crawford (1898–1982)
    Oil on canvas
    H 190 x W 177.5 cm
    University of Aberdeen
    Let the Dialogue Continue
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

  • Joseph G. Currie (1928–2012)

    War 1960–1968
    Joseph G. Currie (1928–2012)
    Oil on canvas
    H 163.3 x W 94 cm
    University of Aberdeen
    War
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

  • Stanley Cursiter (1887–1976)

    Marjorie Linklater (1909–1997) 1933
    Stanley Cursiter (1887–1976)
    Oil on canvas
    H 125 x W 99 cm
    University of Aberdeen
    Marjorie Linklater (1909–1997)
    © estate of Stanley Cursiter. All rights reserved, DACS 2024. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

  • Joan Kathleen Harding Eardley (1921–1963)

    Salmon Nets on the Shore 1961
    Joan Kathleen Harding Eardley (1921–1963)
    Oil on canvas
    H 52 x W 73 cm
    University of Aberdeen
    Salmon Nets on the Shore
    © the Eardley estate. All rights reserved, DACS 2024. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

  • Jacob Epstein (1880–1959)

    Lydia Laughing 1960
    Jacob Epstein (1880–1959)
    Bronze
    H 41 x W 24 x D 27 cm
    University of Aberdeen
    Lydia Laughing
    © The estate of Sir Jacob Epstein / Tate Images. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

  • John Duncan Fergusson (1874–1961)

    The Brass Kettle 1904
    John Duncan Fergusson (1874–1961)
    Oil on canvas
    H 34 x W 39 cm
    University of Aberdeen
    The Brass Kettle
    © Courtesy of Culture Perth & Kinross Museums & Galleries.. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

  • Ian Hamilton Finlay (1925–2006)

    Column to Drum 1990
    Ian Hamilton Finlay (1925–2006) and Jamie Sargeant (b.1954)
    Sandstone
    H 41 x W 200 x D 39 cm
    University of Aberdeen
    Column to Drum
    © Ian Hamilton Finlay estate & Jamie Sargeant. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

  • Ian Fleming (1906–1994)

    The Dream of Eilean Thiriodh 1950–1980
    Ian Fleming (1906–1994)
    Oil on canvas
    H 120 x W 151 cm
    University of Aberdeen
    The Dream of Eilean Thiriodh
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

  • David Simpson Foggie (1878–1948)

    Thomas Jaffrey (1861–1953) 1942
    David Simpson Foggie (1878–1948)
    Oil on canvas
    H 56 x W 80 cm
    University of Aberdeen
    Thomas Jaffrey (1861–1953)
    Image credit: University of Aberdeen

  • Leonard Gray (1925–2019)

    Two Bridges
    Leonard Gray (1925–2019)
    Acrylic & mixed media on board
    H 73 x W 142 cm
    University of Aberdeen
    Two Bridges
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

  • George Leslie Hunter (1877–1931)

    Still Life with a Bottle 1931
    George Leslie Hunter (1877–1931)
    Oil on canvas
    H 54.6 x W 44 cm
    University of Aberdeen
    Still Life with a Bottle
    Image credit: University of Aberdeen

  • Augustus Edwin John (1878–1961)

    The Girl on the Cliff 1900–1936
    Augustus Edwin John (1878–1961)
    Oil on canvas
    H 59 x W 39 cm
    University of Aberdeen
    The Girl on the Cliff
    © the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

  • Dorothy Johnstone (1892–1980)

    Greengate Close, Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway 1940–1980
    Dorothy Johnstone (1892–1980)
    Oil on canvas
    H 119.5 x W 82.5 cm
    University of Aberdeen
    Greengate Close, Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

  • William Hunter Littlejohn (1929–2006)

    Dark Harbour 1961
    William Hunter Littlejohn (1929–2006)
    Oil on canvas
    H 43.5 x W 59 cm
    University of Aberdeen
    Dark Harbour
    © the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

  • William MacTaggart (1903–1981)

    Craig Ney (Drumnadrochit) 1950–1980
    William MacTaggart (1903–1981)
    Oil on canvas
    H 19 x W 25 cm
    University of Aberdeen
    Craig Ney (Drumnadrochit)
    © by permission of the artist's family. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

  • Drummond Mayo (1929–2021)

    Drying Nets
    Drummond Mayo (1929–2021)
    Acrylic on canvas
    H 60 x W 70 cm
    University of Aberdeen
    Drying Nets
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

  • Mary Modeen (b.1953)

    The Tempest 1988
    Mary Modeen (b.1953)
    Oil on canvas
    H 97 x W 127.5 cm
    University of Aberdeen
    The Tempest
    © the artist. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

  • T. Gordon Moffat

    Findochty, Banffshire
    T. Gordon Moffat
    Acrylic on canvas
    H 59.5 x W 74.8 cm
    University of Aberdeen
    Findochty, Banffshire
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

  • James Morrison (1932–2020)

    Otto Fjord, Ellesmere Island, Northern Canada c.1994
    James Morrison (1932–2020)
    Oil on canvas
    H 150 x W 273.5 cm
    University of Aberdeen
    Otto Fjord, Ellesmere Island, Northern Canada
    © University of Aberdeen. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

  • Alberto Morrocco (1917–1998)

    Stormy Seas near Gourdon, Aberdeenshire 1973
    Alberto Morrocco (1917–1998)
    Oil on board
    H 57 x W 114 cm
    University of Aberdeen
    Stormy Seas near Gourdon, Aberdeenshire
    © the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

  • Pamela Nash (b.1925)

    Sark Harbour, Channel Islands 1962
    Pamela Nash (b.1925)
    Oil on board
    H 51 x W 99 cm
    University of Aberdeen
    Sark Harbour, Channel Islands
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

  • William Orpen (1878–1931)

    Sir George Adam Smith (1856–1942) 1927–1928
    William Orpen (1878–1931)
    Oil on canvas
    H 127.5 x W 101 cm
    University of Aberdeen
    Sir George Adam Smith (1856–1942)
    Image credit: University of Aberdeen

  • Samuel John Peploe (1871–1935)

    Still Life 1930
    Samuel John Peploe (1871–1935)
    Oil on canvas
    H 55 x W 49 cm
    University of Aberdeen
    Still Life
    Image credit: University of Aberdeen

  • Robin Philipson (1916–1992)

    Rose Window 1960–1992
    Robin Philipson (1916–1992)
    Oil on canvas
    H 34.7 x W 24.5 cm
    University of Aberdeen
    Rose Window
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

  • Anne Redpath (1895–1965)

    Holy Family, Belem, Portugal
    Anne Redpath (1895–1965)
    Oil on canvas
    H 73 x W 60 cm
    University of Aberdeen
    Holy Family, Belem, Portugal
    © the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

  • Walter Richard Sickert (1860–1942)

    The Milkman 1907–1914
    Walter Richard Sickert (1860–1942)
    Oil on canvas
    H 85.2 x W 54.6 cm
    University of Aberdeen
    The Milkman
    Image credit: University of Aberdeen

  • Charles Sims (1873–1928)

    Matthew Hay (1855–1932) 1924–1925
    Charles Sims (1873–1928)
    Oil on canvas
    H 144 x W 120 cm
    University of Aberdeen
    Matthew Hay (1855–1932)
    Image credit: University of Aberdeen

  • Philip Wilson Steer (1860–1942)

    The Panama Hat
    Philip Wilson Steer (1860–1942)
    Oil on canvas
    H 89.5 x W 51.5 cm
    University of Aberdeen
    The Panama Hat
    Image credit: University of Aberdeen

Explore artists in this Curation

View all 40
  • Winter Trees and Townscape
    Gordon Bryce (b.1943)
  • War
    Joseph G. Currie (1928–2012)
  • Miss Maud Lawrence
    Robert Brough (1872–1905)
  • Two Bridges
    Leonard Gray (1925–2019)
  • Column to Drum
    Jamie Sargeant (b.1954)
  • Window in Menton
    Anne Redpath (1895–1965)
  • Anne Finlay (1898–1963)
    Dorothy Johnstone (1892–1980)
  • Marble Paper Boat
    Ian Hamilton Finlay (1925–2006)
  • Tulips – The Blue Jug
    Samuel John Peploe (1871–1935)
  • Winter Sunset, the Red Soil
    William MacTaggart (1903–1981)
  • View all 40
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