Portraiture is an age-old artform with a seemingly simple purpose: to record the likeness of a human subject. Yet the enduring appeal of portraiture lies in its complexity. Behind every portrait is a series of stories – interwoven narratives about the sitter, the artist, and the circumstances that brought them together.
Unmasked: Exploring Scottish Portraiture examines this fascinating genre in depth, with a series of highlights from the City Art Centre’s collection. The exhibition spans almost 400 years of artistic production, with examples of painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking and photography.
Among the stand-out historical artworks are Allan Ramsay’s celebrated portrait Katherine Hall of Dunglass (c.1736), James Cadenhead’s sumptuous oil painting Lady with Japanese Screen and Goldfish (1886) and Scottish Colourist FCB Cadell’s masterpiece The Black Hat (1914). Modern and contemporary highlights include Pat Douthwaite’s vibrant homage to Amy Johnson Final Instructions Before Take-Off (1976), Maud Sulter’s impactful self-portrait Calliope (1989) and Sekai Machache’s exploration of symbolism and identity A Hint of Blue I and II (2021).
For more information, visit Unmasked: Exploring Scottish Portraiture.
