Royal Scottish Academy and National Gallery

Category

Library Item

Item no

3563

Title

Royal Scottish Academy and National Gallery

Description

The Royal Scottish Academy stands to the right and the National Gallery to the left in this image of the Mound, Edinburgh. The two galleries have columns while the Royal Scottish Academy has statues of sphinxes on its roof. A wooden fence is around one building and a metal fence and lampposts around the other.

Artist / maker

Keith, Thomas

Date

1856

Size

24.9 x 28 cm

Type

Paper negative

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

The National Gallery is situated at the foot of the Mound immediately behind the Royal Scottish Academy. W. H. Playfair was the architect for both buildings. The National Gallery's foundation stone was laid by Prince Albert in 1850 and construction was completed in 1854, 28 years after the Academy. It houses Scotland's largest and most important collection of paintings and sculpture from the Renaissance through to the late 19th century. The building is now linked underground to the Royal Scottish Academy.

The Royal Scottish Academy, originally the Royal Institution, is situated at the junction of Princes Street and the Mound in Edinburgh. Completed in 1826, the building was designed by W. H. Playfair in the Greek Doric style. It was extended and improved by the same architect between 1831 - 36, and a statue of Queen Victoria was added at the front in 1844. The building is now linked underground to the National Gallery. The Academy promotes and exhibits the work of living Scottish artists.

Exhibitions with this item

Other views of this item

Related images

Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Columns

Architecture > Monuments > Statues

Homes > Residential buildings > Castles and palaces

Places > Edinburgh areas > Princes Street

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Sport and leisure > Culture > Galleries

Read how our collections have inspired people taking part in events, visits and community groups. Use the slider or navigation arrows to see more responses.