Edward Bonkil and the Trinity Altarpiece: Art and Ambition in a fifteenth Century Edinburgh merchant family

This talk looks at the status of merchants in Edinburgh, how Bonkil’s family connections enabled him to commission the work and the importance of the altarpiece to Edinburgh, then and now.

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The Trinity Altarpiece, a triptych of paintings. When open, the wings show a devout King James III with his elder son and his queen Margaret of Denmark, accompanied by Saint Andrew and Saint George. The lion rampant on the king’s coat of arms is reversed in deference to the holy figures on the missing central panel. The closed wings feature a vision of the Holy Trinity appearing to the kneeling Edward Bonkil.
Trinity Altarpiece by Hugo van der Goes c.1476 , © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2024 | Royal Collection Trust
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Event details

2pm - 3pm
17th October
Free, but pre-booking is essential.
Venue is physically accessible

Sir Edward Bonkil was the first provost of the Trinity Collegiate Church. He commissioned the most prestigious artwork in Scotland for the church from a renowned Flemish artist in 1476. The altarpiece now has a prominent place in the National Gallery of Scotland. Bonkil came from an ambitious family of merchants trading between Bruges and Edinburgh who owned property in both cities. This talk looks at the status of merchants in Edinburgh, how Bonkil’s family connections enabled him to commission the work and the importance of the altarpiece to Edinburgh, then and now.

Speaker

Jill Harrison

Jill Harrison, lecturer in Art History and Research Associate, Open University, founded the Trinity Network in 2018 with the aim of studying all aspects of the Trinity Apse in Edinburgh now located on Chalmers Close.

In order to secure an appropriate future for this iconic building, they have forged connections with a number of Edinburgh stakeholders: Morningside Heritage Association, Old Edinburgh Club, Edinburgh Museums and Galleries, Dorothy Dunnett Society, Friends of Calton Hill, the Crannie Community Hub, Historic Environment Scotland, Grassmarket Residents Association, the Cockburn Society, Heriot Watt University and Edinburgh University.

They have mounted lectures and Open Days in the Apse, and are currently editing a book on the Trinity Apse to be published in 2025. Jill Harrison is the recipient of an OEC Jean Guild Award for a 2- year project to produce a survey of all the Trinity stones dispersed over Edinburgh following the demolition of the building in 1848.

A painting of Edward Bonkil wearing a cassock, praying in front of an organ
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Museums and Galleries Edinburgh, The City of Edinburgh Council

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Museums & Galleries Edinburgh is a collection of 13 venues and over 200 monuments across Edinburgh. Our vision is to inspire, enthuse and provoke through a shared passion for Edinburgh, Art and History.

We welcome visitors to our nine major visitor attractions: the City Art Centre; Lauriston Castle; Museum of Childhood; Museum of Edinburgh; Nelson Monument; People’s Story; Queensferry Museum; Scott Monument and Writers’ Museum.

We house rich and varied collections relating to the historical and cultural life of Scotland’s Capital. Our venues also boast an exciting and vibrant programme of events and exhibitions, offering something for everyone to enjoy.

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