Edinburgh Art Galleries

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Art is an integral and significant part of Edinburgh's cutural past and present and Scotland's capital is proud of its impressive array of art galleries dotted around the city, welcoming approximately four million visitors every year.

Edinburgh's art galleries and studios house breathtaking displays and exhibiitons, both permanant and temporary. Each venue encapsulates the whole artistic spectrum, allowing visitors to indulge in a visual feast of classical paintings from Europe, sculptures and contemporary visual art.

The National Gallery of Scotland is always a good starting point to soak up Edinburgh's spectacular collections of fine art. Sandwiched between Edinburgh's Old and New Towns, the gallery is home to Scotland's finest collections of European paintings dating from the Renaissance period to post-impressionism. The venue also showcases
masterpieces by Jacopo Bassano, Van Dyck and Tiepolo and an exquisite collection of sculptures, including Bernini's 'Carlo Antonio dal Pozzo', Botticelli's Virgin adroning the sleeping Christ Child and Antonio Canaova's 'Three Graces'.

The city of Edinburgh is home to an exuberant array of modern art incorporaring a variety of media. The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art houses more than 5,000 works of art dating the 19th Century to the present. The showpieces and highlights of its stunning collection includes paintings by France's great artists, Bonnard, Matisse and Vuillard, 20th Century oils by Russian artists, Larionov and Gonacharnova and a spectacular array of Experssionis art by Barlach, Nolde and Kirchner.

Edinburgh's City Art Centre is also one of the city's foremost venues to showcase an oustanding array of contemporary and fine art. Described as 'Scotland's leading Emporium of visual art', the Art Centre is home to six exhibition spaces that display Edinburgh's finest collections of Scottish Art in its host of temporary exhibitions that have included Star Trek memorabilia, tapestries, modern sculptures and sketches from Michelangelo.

Art is omnipresent in Scotland's historic capital and housed within Edinburgh's stunning mediaval buildings and castles, victorian galleries and the labyrinth of lanes and mews in Edinburgh's Old Town. Edinburgh is home to some of the finest collections of art in the world and contributes significantly to the arena of contemporary visual art.

The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art 75 Belford Road, Edinburgh, EH4 3DR Tel: 0131 624 6200 The National Gallery lies to the west of Edinburgh's City Centre, on Belford Road and is set in extensive parkland. The Gallery was first opened in 1960 at Inverleith House in the Royal Botanic Garden and moved to its present site in 1984.
The People's Story 163 Canongate, Royal Mile, Edinburgh, EH8 8BN. Tel: 0131 529 4057 The Peoples Story is a museum in Edinburgh detailing the history of Scotland's capital, and it's people. Situated on the Royal Mile this former prison is an impressive building with an even more interesting past.
The Museum of Edinburgh 142 Canongate, Royal Mile, Edinburgh, EH8 8DD. Tel: 0131 529 4143 Discover Edinburgh's remarkable history from prehistoric times onwards at the Museum of Edinburgh in the city's Old Town. Housed in the beautifully restored 16th century Huntley House on Canongate, it is the city's principle museum of local history. A trove of ancient relics and archaeological findings make it an essential part of Edinburgh's cultural and historical trail
North Edinburgh Arts Centre 15a Pennywell Court, Muirhouse, Edinburgh, EH4 4TZ Tel: 0131 315 2151 Jointly funded by the Scottish Arts Council National Lottery Fund and The City of Edinburgh Council, North Edinburgh Arts Centre opened in 2002 as a new build arts centre in Edinburgh's Muirhouse district. The £3 million arts features a 96 - 150 capacity studio theatre that stages a diverse array of small scale productions, dance, film and live music performances.
Scottish National Portrait Gallery 1 Queen Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1JD Tel: 0131 624 6200 Situated in Edinburgh's Georgian New Town, The Scottish National Portrait Gallery depicts a visual feast of Scottish history. This is unveiled through an outstanding collection of portraits of some of Scotland's most celebrated and influential figures from royal statesmen to poets and rebels.
Royal Scottish Academy Building The Mound, Edinburgh, EH2 2EL Tel: 0131 225 6671 The Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh is home to some of the best contemporary art in Scotland. The Academy is located on The Mound at the very heart of Edinburgh; it was re-opened by Prince Charles in 2003 after refurbishment.
Queensferry Museum 53 High Street, South Queensferry, Edinburgh, EH30 9HP Tel: 0131 331 5545 Located in picturesque South Queensferry on the banks of the Firth of Forth, The Queensferry Museum is home to an intriguing collection of artefacts and curiosities pertaining to the history, culture and development of this former Royal Burgh. The museum nestles between the majestic sites of the Forth Rail Bridge and Forth Road Bridge, linking Edinburgh and the Lothians with the Kingdom of Fife.