"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.
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 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
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 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 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
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
Edwin George Lucas (1911–1990)
Oil on canvas
H 99 x W 73.7 cm
Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council
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
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 c.1838
William Allan (1782–1850)
Oil on canvas
H 81.5 x W 130.2 cm
Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council
John Thomson (1778–1840)
Oil on canvas
H 26 x W 47 cm
Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council
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 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
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 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 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) 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 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
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 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 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 1996–1997
Wilhelmina Barns-Graham (1912–2004)
Acrylic on canvas
H 122 x W 152 cm
Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council