A new initiative allows you to view Museums & Galleries Edinburgh’s collections online.

Edinburgh’s culture leaders and front of house staff at Museums & Galleries Edinburgh have highlighted some of their personal favourites from the City’s art collection in a special online exhibition as part of ART UK’s Curations initiative. 

Art UK is an online platform that allows public collections in the UK to share their artworks with audiences around the world with Edinburgh having approx. 1000 paintings listed. 
 
Curations are groups of artworks selected, arranged, and published by Art UK’s community of users – including Front of House Choices from Museums & Galleries Edinburgh by the museum team.
 
The exhibition highlights the personal choices of the Culture and Communities Vice-convener and staff including Visitor and Monument Assistants, many of whom deliver tours and interpretation to our visitors.
 
Culture and Communities Convener Donald Wilson said: “This wonderful online tool has allowed us to continue to share over 1000 pieces from our collection and is a great reminder of our treasure trove. Online is a wonderful way to preserve digital exhibitions and for now is the next best thing until we can welcome visitors back to the City Art Centre.
 
“The choices in the exhibition are very personal and showcase a variety of artworks. The selections represent our very valued, knowledgeable and enthusiastic front of house team who give tours and share their knowledge with visitors. For mine I selected The Black Hat by Francis, I’m a fan of the Scottish Colourists and the painting itself was on display in the City Chambers during my time as Lord Provost.”
 
Culture and Communities Vice Convener Amy McNeese-Mechan added: “It was great to browse the collection online, however being asked to choose a favourite from our City Art Centre is almost an impossible task! For my contribution I selected Victoria Crowe’s Italian Reflections (1993) as it contains so many elements I love: the drenched jewel-like colours, the mysterious framed view of a winding road lined with those iconic Tuscan poplars. It was very tough to settle on one, but the beauty of the initiative is I can now curate my very own. I’d encourage everyone to explore the collection for themselves.”

Crowe, Victoria; Italian Reflections; City of Edinburgh Council; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/italian-reflections-93186
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