{"id":419282,"date":"2025-09-12T20:08:17","date_gmt":"2025-09-12T20:08:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/419282\/"},"modified":"2025-09-12T20:08:17","modified_gmt":"2025-09-12T20:08:17","slug":"new-exhibition-celebrates-scottish-portraiture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/419282\/","title":{"rendered":"New exhibition celebrates Scottish portraiture"},"content":{"rendered":"

At the City Art Centre a new exhibition celebrating Scottish portraiture opens on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Unmasked: Exploring Scottish Portraiture showcases a rich selection of historic and contemporary portraits from the City Art Centre\u2019s Scottish art collection.<\/p>\n

The work of more than 30 different artists will feature in the exhibition, including: FCB Cadell, Victoria Crowe, Pat Douthwaite, Joan Eardley, David Eustace, George Jamesone, Dorothy Johnstone, John Kay, Sekai Machache, James Pittendrigh MacGillivray, Flannery O\u2019kafka, Henry Raeburn, Allan Ramsay and Maud Sulter.<\/p>\n

Portraiture is an age-old artform with a simple purpose \u2013 to record the likeness of a human subject. Yet the enduring appeal of portraiture lies in its complexity. Behind every portrait is a series of stories \u2013 interwoven narratives about the sitter, the artist, and the circumstances that brought them together.<\/p>\n

Unmasked: Exploring Scottish Portraiture examines the genre in depth, with a series of highlights from the City Art Centre\u2019s collection. The exhibition spans almost 400 years of artistic production, with examples of painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking and photography.<\/p>\n

Among the stand-out historical artworks are Allan Ramsay\u2019s celebrated portrait Katherine Hall of Dunglass (c.1736), James Cadenhead\u2019s sumptuous oil painting Lady with Japanese Screen and Goldfish (1886) and Scottish Colourist FCB Cadell\u2019s masterpiece The Black Hat (1914). Modern and contemporary highlights include Pat Douthwaite\u2019s vibrant homage to Amy Johnson Final Instructions Before Take-Off (1976), Maud Sulter\u2019s impactful self-portrait Calliope (1989) and Sekai Machache\u2019s exploration of symbolism and identity A Hint of Blue I and II (2021).<\/p>\n

Curator Dr Helen Scott said: \u201cPortraiture is such a compelling, multi-layered artform. Whether you\u2019re looking at portraits that have been commissioned to publicly commemorate peoples\u2019 lives and achievements, or private portrayals of friends and loved ones that give glimpses into personal relationships, there are so many stories to uncover.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m really looking forward to sharing new research findings with our visitors. We have, for example, recently discovered fresh information regarding a rare 18th century miniature portrait of Bonnie Prince Charlie. And we\u2019ll be displaying a number of new acquisitions for the first time, including artworks by Milein Cosman, David Eustace, George Jamesone, John Henry Lorimer and Flannery O\u2019kafka. The exhibition celebrates Scotland\u2019s rich tradition of portraiture, but it also demonstrates how absolutely relevant the genre remains today.<\/p>\n

Culture and Communities Convener Cllr Margaret Graham, said: \u201cI am delighted that \u201cUnmasked\u201d will be presented at the City Art Centre from this month. With both historic and contemporary works on display, \u2018Unmasked\u2019 highlights the enduring power of portraiture to tell personal, political and cultural stories. Showcasing the work of over 30 artists and spanning 400 years of artistic production including painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking and photography, visitors will be able to view old favourites and discover new treasures and the fascinating stories behind the works.\u201d<\/p>\n

Unmasked: Exploring Scottish Portraiture opens on Saturday 13 September 2025, and continues until 31 May 2026. Admission is free.<\/p>\n

\"\"Pictured: Curator Helen Scott, with Final Instructions Before Take-Off, Oil on Canvas by Pat Douthwaite
Edinburgh City Art Centre, Unmasked: Exploring Scottish Portraiture\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Pictured: Work by David Eustace, Robbie Coltrane portrait and Antelope Canyon Portrait
Edinburgh City Art Centre, Unmasked: Exploring Scottish Portraiture\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Pictured: Curator Helen Scott, Allan Ramsay, Katherine Hall of Dunglass, c.1736. City
Edinburgh City Art Centre, Unmasked: Exploring Scottish Portraiture\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Pictured: Curator Helen Scott, with Final Instructions Before Take-Off, Oil on Canvas by Pat Douthwaite
Edinburgh City Art Centre, Unmasked: Exploring Scottish Portraiture\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Pictured: Curator Helen Scott, with A Hint of Blue I and II Digital Photographic Print by Sekai Machache
Edinburgh City Art Centre, Unmasked: Exploring Scottish Portraiture\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Pictured: Curator Helen Scott, with A Hint of Blue I and II Digital Photographic Print by Sekai Machache
Edinburgh City Art Centre, Unmasked: Exploring Scottish Portraiture\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.<\/p>\n

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