The Parliament Close

Category

Museums & Galleries Item

Item no

20730

Title

The Parliament Close and Public Characters of Edinburgh, 50 years since

Description

A unique record of the leading politicians, professionals and members of society in the late 1700s.The recognisable individuals, who are listed in a key, stand in front of St Giles cathedral on the Royal Mile. The small trading booths are no longer standing today but the statue of Charles II can still be seen outside St Giles.

Artist / maker

Unknown

Date

1849

Size

59.0 x 91.1cm

Type

Oil painting

Location

City Art Centre

Accession number

HH1174/1948

Edinburgh in the late 18th Century was described as a 'hotbed of genius'. In philosophy, science, art, architecture and literature, the city was at the centre of the Golden Age of cultural achievement, known as the Scottish Enlightenment.

The painting is in the style of John Kay. It has been thought that the painting may be the result of a collaboration. The frame of the painting, which was added long after the painting was completed, states it is the joint production of Sir David Wilkie, Alexander Nasmyth, David Roberts and Clarkson Stanfield, and yet many of the characters in the foreground are similar in style to John Kay's engravings of Edinburgh people. The exact identity of the artist remains unclear.

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Related subjects

Animals > Mammals > Horses

Places > Edinburgh areas > Royal Mile

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

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