Description
Set in extensive parkland, the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art lies to the west of Edinburgh's City Centre, on Belford Road. The Gallery first opened in 1960 at Inverleith House in the Royal Botanic Garden and moved to its present site in 1984. The current building, designed by William Burn in the 1820s as the John Watson Institution, has been adapted with great vision and success to its new function. It now has bright, spacious rooms and its grounds provide an ideal setting for sculptures by Tony Cragg, Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore and Rachel Whiteread among others. The lawn to the front of the building has recently been re-landscaped to a design by Charles Jencks. This dramatic work, or 'landform', comprises a stepped, serpentine-shaped mound reflected in three crescent-shaped pools of water.
Collections description
When the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art opened in 1960, it inherited a small number of 20th century works from the National Gallery of Scotland, but the majority of the collection has been acquired over the last forty years. The collection now comprises more than 5,000 items, ranging in date from the late 19th century to the present and encompasses work in a wide variety of media, from paintings, bronzes and works on paper, to kinetic sculpture and video installations. Highlights of the collection include early 20th century French paintings by Bonnard, Vuillard, Derain and Matisse; Cubist work by Braque, Léger and Picasso; early 20th century Russian art, including oils by Larionov and Goncharova; and a superb collection of Expressionist art, with works by Barlach, Kirchner, Kokoschka and Nolde. The post-war collection includes work by Morandi, Bacon, Hockney, Lichtenstein, Warhol, Moore and Freud. 20th century Scottish art is especially well represented, with works by Mackintosh, the Scottish Colourists, Gillies, Maxwell, Eardley, Philipson, Davie, Bellany, Currie and Howson, while recent acquisitions include works by younger Scots such as Christine Borland and Douglas Gordon. The Gallery's outstanding collection of Dada and Surrealist art and extensive holding of work by Sir Eduardo Paolozzi is shown in the adjacent Dean Gallery.
Since space permits only a portion of the collection to be displayed at any one time, works are shown on a rotating basis. Exhibitions are also held throughout the year. The Gallery's collection of works on paper is held in the Print Room, which is open by appointment.
General Information
Brochure or leaflet available with directions to museum
Pre-booking service for groups
Foreign language leaflet or brochure available
Collections
General guide to collections available
Specialist publications on collections available
Object identification and/or written enquiry service
Disability Access
Events/teaching/resources for people with disabilities
Toilets for disabled
Wheelchair access to all public areas
Wheelchairs available for loan
Children and Families
Activities for pre-school children
General Education
Adult lectures and courses held
Education facilities available
Member of staff available with responsibility for education
Teaching/resources available for HE/FE students
Schools Education
Direct teaching services for schools
Primary school education service available
Printed/audio-visual information available for schools
Secondary school education service available
Facilities
Facilities for private functions and events
Library with public access
Restaurant
Shop
