As a Blue Badge guide I love being asked to do an art themed tour, so I thought I would take an occasional look here on the Highland Trails blog at some of the fabulous works of art you can see in Scotland.

The National Gallery of Scotland in Edinburgh is one of my favourite places in the city.  Womb-like red walls enclose the original 19th century gallery space, the (recently renovated) extended gallery space is filled with light in the modern extension, and an exemplary collection of art, both Scottish and European, make this a great place to spend some time if you happen to be in Edinburgh.  Plus entry is free! If you love art, or even if you just want somewhere interesting to shelter on a blustery day, the National Gallery is one of my top recommendations.

Allan Ramsay (1713 – 1784)

Margaret Lindsay of Evelick: The Artist’s Wife

This painting, which dates from around 1760, depicts the artist Allan Ramsay’s wife, Margaret Lindsay.  Margaret was the daughter of Sir Alexander Lindsay of Evelick, a wealthy Perthshire Baronet. Ramsay has been hired by Sir Alexander to teach his daughter drawing.  Eventually the couple fell in love, eloped and married in the Canongate Church on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile (without her father’s consent).  Ramsay always said he married Margaret for love and not for her money, but Margaret’s father never forgave her for marrying a common artist.  Despite Ramsay’s already considerable success, an “artist” was not considered a respectable occupation for a gentleman, and certainly not good enough marriage material for Sir Alexander’s aristocratic daughter.

The newly weds travelled to Italy together, spending time painting, drawing and making copies of Old Masters, before returning to the UK.  The gifted Ramsay was to become one of the most sought-after artists of his day, eventually becoming portrait painter to King George III, and regularly moved between Edinburgh and his London studio.

This delicate painting of Ramsay’s wife shows her arranging flowers in their London home. Margaret turns to face us, holding a flower.  Illuminated by the soft light from the window, we see the intricate detail of the fine lace of  her shawl and the beautiful folds of the fabric of her dress.  It is a tender and intimate portrait of his beloved wife.

Allan and Margaret went on to have a long and happy marriage, and they had 6 children together (of whom 3 survived to adulthood).

If you would like a guided tour of the National Gallery of Scotland to find out more about this beauty as well as many other stunning works of art, please get in touch.