Prince and Lady Embracing,18th century

A new display of artworks from India will open at the National Gallery Complex this autumn.

It will coincide with two dramatic milestones in the history of the subcontinent - the 60th anniversary of Indian independence and the 150th anniversary of the Indian Uprising.

Indian Interlude is part of a programme of National Galleries events celebrating the shared histories of Scotland and India.

The exhibition of 28 items will feature a number of works that have never been displayed before, and will include exquisite 18th and 19th century Indian miniature paintings from the National Galleries of Scotland's permanent collection.

Also included are sketches of everyday India, drawn by British artists working there at the same period.

These sketches and four related volumes are part of the Mrs Madeleine Sharpe Erskine Bequest - known as The Dunimarle Collection - a special loan to the National Galleries, and the core of displays at Duff House, the country-house gallery in Banff, which is run in partnership with Historic Scotland and Aberdeenshire Council.

The exotic Indian paintings were collected by the Edinburgh bookseller and distinguished member of the Society of Antiquaries, David Laing, who left a collection of paintings in his will to encourage the establishment of a historical portrait gallery for Scotland.

Indian Interlude will be supported by an education programme, which will include workshops on Indian textile designs, and Indian miniature painting.

Anne Buddle will give an introduction to the exhibition on Tuesday 13 November at 12.45 (in the Hawthornden Lecture Theatre).

In January 2008 there will be a concert of Indian music at the National Gallery.

INDIAN INTERLUDE NATIONAL GALLERY COMPLEX, The Mound, Edinburgh 10 November 2007 - 3 February 2008 Admission free

9:51am Wednesday 31st October 2007

Print

Email this