Fine Art

The collection comprises paintings, water-colours, drawings, prints and sculpture. Ranging in date from the seventeenth century to the present day, it consists mainly of works by Scottish artists, artists working in Scotland and works with a strong Scottish connection. The collection has three principal components: (1) a local history section comprising topographical views, portraits of Edinburgh people, and items illustrating aspects of Edinburgh daily life (here historical content is often as important as artistic merit); (2) the Scottish Modern Arts Association Collection of works by late nineteenth and twentieth century Scottish artists (presented to Edinburgh Corporation in 1984), and (3) a collection of Scottish art acquired since 1962 mainly with funds given, and later bequeathed, by Miss Jean F Watson.