DATE: FEB 11 – MAY 06, 2017 · ADMISSION FREE
An exciting opportunity to visit Edinburgh University’s founding Art Collection, The Torrie Collection at the Talbot Rice Gallery. Some of the finest works from the collection have been assembled in the magnificent Georgian Gallery 2. Normally hidden deep in the bowels of the University, most of these works have not seen the light of day for over 10 years. The collection consists of Dutch and Flemish landscape painting, Italian works and Renaissance bronzes. Outstanding pieces include Ruisdael’s, The Banks of a River, currently on loan to the National Gallery of Scotland, Ten Oever’s Bathers and The Forest Glade by Pynacker. The Cavalcade by van der Meulen is unique in British public collections. Ships in a Calm by Willem van der Velde and The Squall by Backhuysen are both good examples of the Dutch art of seascape. Other celebrated works are Halt at a Winehouse Door by Karel du Jardin and the painting by David Teniers the Younger, Peasants playing Bowls. There are notable Italian paintings by Gaspard Poussin and Salvator Rosa. Of the sculpture collection, the two outstanding works are the Anatomical Figure of a Horse attributed to Giambologna and the group of Cain and Abel by Adriaen de Vries.
Sir James Erskine, 3rd Baronet of Torrie, was born in 1772, at Torrie House in Fife. He was a military man who campaigned with Wellington during the Napoleonic Wars, and later becoming the personal secretary to George III. He also had a passion for collecting art and was a keen amateur painter. He bequeathed his collection to the University in 1827.
VENUE: Talbot Rice Gallery, University of Edinburgh, Old College, South Bridge, Edinburgh EH8 9YL