Curations

20th Century Spotlight: University of Aberdeen

David Saywell, Head of Digital Assets

University of Aberdeen

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
William Kelly (1861–1944), LLD, ARSA
© the copyright holder. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

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

Sir Fraser Noble (1918–2003)
© the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

Sir Fraser Noble (1918–2003) 1981–1982

Barbara Balmer (1929–2017)

Oil on canvas

H 150 x W 111.5 cm

University of Aberdeen

Abstract
© the copyright holder. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

Abstract 1968

Wladyslaw Bednarowski (1908–2002)

Oil on canvas

H 66.5 x W 54.6 cm

University of Aberdeen

Still Life and a Prayer Rug
© the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

Still Life and a Prayer Rug 1964

Elizabeth V. Blackadder (1931–2021)

Oil on canvas

H 90 x W 69 cm

University of Aberdeen

Burning Bush
© the copyright holder. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

Burning Bush 1970

Robert Henderson Blyth (1919–1970)

Oil on canvas

H 99 x W 111 cm

University of Aberdeen

The Blind Girl
Image credit: University of Aberdeen

The Blind Girl 1901

Robert Brough (1872–1905)

Oil on canvas

H 125.5 x W 99 cm

University of Aberdeen

Winter Landmarks
© the artist. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

Winter Landmarks 1975

Gordon Bryce (b.1943)

Oil on canvas

H 120 x W 151 cm

University of Aberdeen

The Jubilee Pit
© the copyright holder. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

The Jubilee Pit 1944–1972

William Alexander Burns (1921–1972)

Oil on board

H 127 x W 101 cm

University of Aberdeen

North Sea Study
© the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

North Sea Study 1968

Donald Morison Buyers (1930–2003)

Oil on canvas

H 134 x W 119 cm

University of Aberdeen

The Patient
© the artist. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

The Patient

Joyce W. Cairns (b.1947)

Oil on canvas

H 225 x W 378 cm

University of Aberdeen

Set Square
© the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

Set Square

James Cowie (1886–1956)

Oil on canvas

H 62 x W 74 cm

University of Aberdeen

Let the Dialogue Continue
© the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

Let the Dialogue Continue

Hugh Adam Crawford (1898–1982)

Oil on canvas

H 190 x W 177.5 cm

University of Aberdeen

War
© the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

War 1960–1968

Joseph G. Currie (1928–2012)

Oil on canvas

H 163.3 x W 94 cm

University of Aberdeen

Marjorie Linklater (1909–1997)
© estate of Stanley Cursiter. All rights reserved, DACS 2025. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

Marjorie Linklater (1909–1997) 1933

Stanley Cursiter (1887–1976)

Oil on canvas

H 125 x W 99 cm

University of Aberdeen

Salmon Nets on the Shore
© the Eardley estate. All rights reserved, DACS 2025. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

Salmon Nets on the Shore 1961

Joan Kathleen Harding Eardley (1921–1963)

Oil on canvas

H 52 x W 73 cm

University of Aberdeen

Lydia Laughing
© The estate of Sir Jacob Epstein / Tate Images. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

Lydia Laughing 1960

Jacob Epstein (1880–1959)

Bronze

H 41 x W 24 x D 27 cm

University of Aberdeen

The Brass Kettle
© courtesy of Culture Perth & Kinross Museums & Galleries. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

The Brass Kettle 1904

John Duncan Fergusson (1874–1961)

Oil on canvas

H 34 x W 39 cm

University of Aberdeen

Column to Drum
© Ian Hamilton Finlay estate & Jamie Sargeant. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

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

The Dream of Eilean Thiriodh
© the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

The Dream of Eilean Thiriodh 1950–1980

Ian Fleming (1906–1994)

Oil on canvas

H 120 x W 151 cm

University of Aberdeen

Thomas Jaffrey (1861–1953)
Image credit: University of Aberdeen

Thomas Jaffrey (1861–1953) 1942

David Simpson Foggie (1878–1948)

Oil on canvas

H 56 x W 80 cm

University of Aberdeen

Two Bridges
© the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

Two Bridges

Leonard Gray (1925–2019)

Acrylic & mixed media on board

H 73 x W 142 cm

University of Aberdeen

Still Life with a Bottle
Image credit: University of Aberdeen

Still Life with a Bottle 1931

George Leslie Hunter (1877–1931)

Oil on canvas

H 54.6 x W 44 cm

University of Aberdeen

The Girl on the Cliff
© the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

The Girl on the Cliff 1900–1936

Augustus Edwin John (1878–1961)

Oil on canvas

H 59 x W 39 cm

University of Aberdeen

Greengate Close, Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway
© the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

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

Dark Harbour
© the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

Dark Harbour 1961

William Hunter Littlejohn (1929–2006)

Oil on canvas

H 43.5 x W 59 cm

University of Aberdeen

Craig Ney (Drumnadrochit)
© by permission of the artist's family. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

Craig Ney (Drumnadrochit) 1950–1980

William MacTaggart (1903–1981)

Oil on canvas

H 19 x W 25 cm

University of Aberdeen

Drying Nets
© the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

Drying Nets

Drummond Mayo (1929–2021)

Acrylic on canvas

H 60 x W 70 cm

University of Aberdeen

The Tempest
© the artist. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

The Tempest 1988

Mary Modeen (b.1953)

Oil on canvas

H 97 x W 127.5 cm

University of Aberdeen

Findochty, Banffshire
© the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

Findochty, Banffshire

T. Gordon Moffat

Acrylic on canvas

H 59.5 x W 74.8 cm

University of Aberdeen

Otto Fjord, Ellesmere Island, Northern Canada
© University of Aberdeen. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

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

Stormy Seas near Gourdon, Aberdeenshire
© the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

Stormy Seas near Gourdon, Aberdeenshire 1973

Alberto Morrocco (1917–1998)

Oil on board

H 57 x W 114 cm

University of Aberdeen

Sark Harbour, Channel Islands
© the copyright holder. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

Sark Harbour, Channel Islands 1962

Pamela Nash (b.1925)

Oil on board

H 51 x W 99 cm

University of Aberdeen

Sir George Adam Smith (1856–1942)
Image credit: University of Aberdeen

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

Still Life
Image credit: University of Aberdeen

Still Life 1930

Samuel John Peploe (1871–1935)

Oil on canvas

H 55 x W 49 cm

University of Aberdeen

Rose Window
© the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

Rose Window 1960–1992

Robin Philipson (1916–1992)

Oil on canvas

H 34.7 x W 24.5 cm

University of Aberdeen

Holy Family, Belem, Portugal
© the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: University of Aberdeen

Holy Family, Belem, Portugal

Anne Redpath (1895–1965)

Oil on canvas

H 73 x W 60 cm

University of Aberdeen

The Milkman
Image credit: University of Aberdeen

The Milkman 1907–1914

Walter Richard Sickert (1860–1942)

Oil on canvas

H 85.2 x W 54.6 cm

University of Aberdeen

Matthew Hay (1855–1932)
Image credit: University of Aberdeen

Matthew Hay (1855–1932) 1924–1925

Charles Sims (1873–1928)

Oil on canvas

H 144 x W 120 cm

University of Aberdeen

The Panama Hat
Image credit: University of Aberdeen

The Panama Hat

Philip Wilson Steer (1860–1942)

Oil on canvas

H 89.5 x W 51.5 cm

University of Aberdeen

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