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"This is a city of shifting light, of changing skies, of sudden vistas. A city so beautiful it breaks the heart again and again.” Alexander McCall Smith


Edinburgh is a city steeped in history and has featured in many paintings over the centuries. We are very lucky in Museums & Galleries Edinburgh to have a rich supply of paintings depicting the growth of the City and documenting landmark moments in history.


In this exhibition curated by our Learning & Public Programmes Manager, Margaret Findlay, our front of house team have chosen their personal favourites. We are also delighted to have a guest choice. David McLean is Heritage & Retro Reporter for Scotland on Sunday. We present to you Edinburgh.

22 artworks
Maule's Corner after Rain, Edinburgh
Image credit: Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

Maule's Corner after Rain, Edinburgh 1925

Robert Easton Stuart (1864–1940)

Oil on canvas

H 71.1 x W 92 cm

Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

The Entry of George IV into Edinburgh from the Calton Hill, 1822
Image credit: Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

The Entry of George IV into Edinburgh from the Calton Hill, 1822 1827

John Wilson Ewbank (c.1799–1847)

Oil on canvas

H 150.5 x W 240 cm

Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

The Execution of Deacon Brodie and George Smith
Image credit: Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

The Execution of Deacon Brodie and George Smith

Alexander Hay Ritchie (1822–1895)

Oil on panel

H 25.7 x W 33.7 cm

Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

Dunbar's Close, Lawnmarket, Edinburgh
Image credit: Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

Dunbar's Close, Lawnmarket, Edinburgh 1868

Jane Stewart Smith (1839–1925)

Oil on board

H 30.8 x W 23.1 cm

Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

The Port of Leith
Image credit: Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

The Port of Leith 1824

Alexander Nasmyth (1758–1840)

Oil on canvas

H 111.8 x W 149.8 cm

Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

West Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh, from the East
© the artist's estate. Image credit: Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

West Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh, from the East

Stanley Phillips (1911–1994)

Oil on board

H 44.5 x W 58.4 cm

Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

Caley Station, Edinburgh, 1942
© estate of Edwin George Lucas. Image credit: Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

Caley Station, Edinburgh, 1942

Edwin George Lucas (1911–1990)

Oil on canvas

H 99 x W 73.7 cm

Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

Leith Races
Image credit: Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

Leith Races

William Thomas Reed (1845–1881)

Oil on canvas

H 90 x W 154 cm

Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

Johnston Terrace and Castle Wynd, Edinburgh
Image credit: Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

Johnston Terrace and Castle Wynd, Edinburgh

unknown artist

Oil on panel

H 43.5 x W 43.7 cm

Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

The Signing of the National Covenant in Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh
Image credit: Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

The Signing of the National Covenant in Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh c.1838

William Allan (1782–1850)

Oil on canvas

H 81.5 x W 130.2 cm

Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

Edinburgh from Inverleith
Image credit: Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

Edinburgh from Inverleith

John Thomson (1778–1840)

Oil on canvas

H 26 x W 47 cm

Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

The Diggers' Triptych
© the artist. Image credit: Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

The Diggers' Triptych

Maggie Milne (b.1957)

Oil on canvas

H 122 x W 152 cm

Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

Queen Mary Brought Captive to Edinburgh from Carberry Hill, 1567
Image credit: Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

Queen Mary Brought Captive to Edinburgh from Carberry Hill, 1567 1910

William Brassey Hole (1846–1917)

Oil on canvas

H 134.6 x W 182.8 cm

Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

The Old Tolbooth of Edinburgh during Demolition
Image credit: Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

The Old Tolbooth of Edinburgh during Demolition

Alexander Nasmyth (1758–1840) (attributed to)

Oil on panel

H 27.9 x W 40 cm

Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

The Demolition of the Crown Hotel, Edinburgh
© the artist's estate. Image credit: Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

The Demolition of the Crown Hotel, Edinburgh 1925

David Macbeth Sutherland (1883–1973)

Oil on canvas

H 81.3 x W 66.3 cm

Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

View from the Mound, Edinburgh, Looking West
Image credit: Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

View from the Mound, Edinburgh, Looking West c.1929

William Crozier (1893–1930)

Oil on panel

H 55.2 x W 46.3 cm

Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

The Bibliophilist's Haunt (Creech's Bookshop)
Image credit: Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

The Bibliophilist's Haunt (Creech's Bookshop) 1864

William Fettes Douglas (1822–1891)

Oil on canvas

H 66.3 x W 86.7 cm

Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

Pachmann at the Usher Hall, Edinburgh
© estate of Stanley Cursiter. All rights reserved, DACS 2024. Image credit: Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

Pachmann at the Usher Hall, Edinburgh 1923

Stanley Cursiter (1887–1976)

Oil on canvas

H 86.5 x W 101.6 cm

Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

Window View at Sighthill, Edinburgh
© the artist. Image credit: Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

Window View at Sighthill, Edinburgh

Donald Provan (b.1964)

Oil on board

H 122 x W 152.4 cm

Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

Cardinal Beaton's House, Cowgate, Edinburgh
Image credit: Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

Cardinal Beaton's House, Cowgate, Edinburgh 1883

John Le Conte (1816–1887)

Oil on panel

H 54.5 x W 35.9 cm

Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

The Pub
© the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

The Pub 1954

Alberto Morrocco (1917–1998)

Oil on panel

H 76.2 x W 61 cm

Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

Firth of Forth Series
© Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust. Image credit: Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council

Firth of Forth Series 1996–1997

Wilhelmina Barns-Graham (1912–2004)

Acrylic on canvas

H 122 x W 152 cm

Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council