National Gallery of Scotland

The superb National Gallery of Scotland, located on The Mound in Edinburgh’s city centre, contains one of the United Kingdom’s finest collections of world-class paintings and sculpture. The graceful building, which opened in 1859, was designed by William Henry Playfair in a classic architectural style reminiscent of the temples of ancient Greece.

Temple of art: The National Gallery of Scotland in Edinburgh

[image credit: Topaz McNumpty]

The National Gallery of Scotland’s outstanding permanent collection consists of over 65,000 pieces, ranging from the early Renaissance to the 20th century. The Venetian collection features masterpieces by 16th century Venetian artists including “The Three Ages of Man,” by Titian and “The Adoration of the Kings,” by Jacopo Bassano.

Celebrated Artworks In The National Gallery Of Scotland

Celebrated 18th and 19th century European masters represented include van Gogh, Gauguin, Degas and Rodin, as well as Impressionists Renoir, Monet, Cezanne, Pisarro and Seurat. The excellent Dutch and Flemish collection occupies three galleries, and displays 17th century paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Vermeer, and van Dyck. The National Gallery’s collection also contains notable paintings by Gainsborough, Delacroix, Constable, Goya, and Benjamin West. Other significant works on display are El Greco’s “Savior of the World,” and Nicholas Poussin’s “Seven Sacraments.”

National Gallery of Scotland with the Gallery Café facing Princes Street Gardens and Edinburgh Castle in the background.

[image credit: poncho pilate]

A highlight of the National Gallery of Scotland is the national collection of Scottish art, located in the New Wing. This collection showcases works exclusively by Scottish painters from the 16th century to contemporary times. Themes in Scottish art include Portraiture, Landscape, Scottish Art Movements, Episodes from Scottish History, and Legend, Fantasy and Imagination. Some of the Scottish artists whose works are represented in this collection include Alan Ramsay, Sir David Wilkie, Sir James Guthrie and William McTaggart.

Cambell's Tomato soup tins raise awareness for the big Andy Warhol exhibition at Edinburgh's National Gallery of Scotland.

[image credit: lastyearsgirl_]

Entry to the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Scotland is free of charge, although there is an admission charge for the special art exhibitions. Opening hours are daily 10am- 5pm, Wednesdays until 7pm, closed 25 and 26 December. Taking photographs is not allowed inside the National Gallery of Scotland.