A new exhibition entitled The Artist Up Close will bring together a range of 32 portrait works of some of Scotland’s most admired artists created by themselves, their friends or family.
The free exhibition, which opens at the National Gallery Complex on 10 February and runs until 5 June, will include prints and drawings from the National collection spanning the last 300 years.
Portraits of Sir Henry Raeburn, Allan Ramsay and Sir David Wilkie will be shown alongside modern artists such as Eduardo Paolozzi, Anne Redpath, and Alan Davie.
The selection of work on paper includes a striking image of Allan Ramsay (1713 – 1784) at the age of 20 (see above), depicting an already young, confident man who went on to become one of the most successful portrait painters in the 18th century.
Eduardo Paolozzi (1924-2005), whose Studio is permanently recreated in the Dean Gallery, is featured in what is possibly the earliest surviving portrait of the artist. Sketched on the cover of a book of nursery rhymes, this youthful self portrait was created when he was approximately 11 years old.
The show will also feature portraits by family members. Kate Cameron (1874 – 1965), sister of famous Scottish printmaker D. Y. Cameron (1865 – 1945), studied at Glasgow School of Art like her influential brother. Her delicate and restrained drawing reflects his quiet and retiring personality and was probably made for her own enjoyment rather then for public display.
A study of Alexander Runciman (1736 – 1785) by his younger brother John Runciman (1744 – 1768) will also be in the show. The siblings were great friends; Alexander taught John to draw and the pair travelled together to Italy in 1767, to further their artistic training.
Close friendships are highlighted by the show: a pair of reciprocal portraits by a young Henry Raeburn (1756 – 1823) and his mentor David Deuchar (1745 – 1808) will provide a touching memento of the older and younger artists’ friendship and mutual respect.
This is a rare opportunity to see the earliest known work by Raeburn.
A portrait of Jessie Marion King (1875 – 1949) by her lifelong friend Helen Paxton Brown (1876 – 1956) will also feature. The two women were fellow pupils at Glasgow School of Art and shared a studio from around 1898 until 1907.
The Artist Up Close is from 10 February to 5 June. Free admission.