Scottish National Gallery

The Monarch of the Glen

Beth walked to City Centre Edinburgh to tour the Scottish National Gallery, widely regarded as one of the world’s finest small galleries. The building, designed by Scottish premiere architect William Playfair, sports a stunning Neoclassical exterior, and a plethora of the world’s renowned artists and sculptors are represented, including Raphael, Titian, El Greco, Rembrandt, Rubens, Watteau, Monet, Degas, Pissarro, Boudin, Sisley, Van Gogh, and Gauguin, to name a few.

One of her favorite paintings is Sir Edwin Landseer’s “The Monarch of the Glen”, one of the most iconic British paintings of the nineteenth century.  This painting, pictured, encapsulates for many Scots and the world the grandeur of Scotland’s highlands and wildlife. A myriad of Landseer’s paintings depict interactions between human beings and animals; this work left her with a feeling of magnificence, power, and grace.  The “royal” or twelve-point stag epitomizes the spectacular natural beauty and lushness of terrain of Scotland.

A return visit will definitely occur; likely several times.