Description [EN]
The Scottish National Portrait Gallery is a significant art museum in Scotland that specializes in the presentation of portraits of Scottish personalities. The museum, which opened in 1889, is housed in an impressive neo-Gothic building in the center of the Scottish capital Edinburgh.The origins of the museum date back to 1882, when the National Portrait Gallery of Scotland was founded. The driving force behind the founding was the Scottish lawyer and art collector John Ritchie Findlay, who had assembled an extensive collection of portraits of Scottish personalities. He transferred his collection to the newly founded gallery in 1884. The museum moved into the neo-Gothic building designed by Sir Robert Rowand Anderson in 1889.The collection today comprises around 3,000 portraits, providing an overview of Scottish history and culture. Among the best-known works are portraits of Scots such as Mary Stuart, Robert the Bruce, Walter Scott, Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and many other prominent figures. In addition to paintings and prints, the collection also includes photographs, sculptures and other objects.The museum is not only an important place for the presentation of Scottish art and culture, but also an architectural masterpiece. The neo-Gothic building, completed in 1889, is considered one of the most significant structures of the Scottish Renaissance Revival style. With its richly decorated facade, high towers and impressive entrance hall, it is one of the most impressive museum buildings in the country.In addition to the permanent exhibition, the museum also offers numerous special exhibitions, events and educational programs. It is an important place of encounter and exchange on Scottish identity and history.Overall, the Scottish National Portrait Gallery is an indispensable part of the Scottish cultural landscape and a central point of contact for all those interested in the history and personalities of Scotland.