The first major retrospective of work by Adam Bruce Thomson, OBE, in a public gallery is now open at the City Art Centre.
There are more than 100 artworks in the exhibition drawn from public and private collections including the National Galleries of Scotland and the Royal Scottish Academy.
Thomson (1885-1976) was born in Edinburgh and was among the earliest intake of students at Edinburgh College of Art. Later the artist taught at the College for forty years.
His own work features a range of media including printmaking, drawing in pastels, and painting in oils and watercolours.
The exhibition’s curator, Dr Helen Scott said: “Adam Bruce Thomson was such a talented, versatile artist, who remains mostly unknown, even in his native Edinburgh. Despite making a significant impact on 20th century Scottish art, he was extremely modest about his achievements, and has become something of an art historical footnote, overshadowed by bigger names. For this exhibition I’ve been privileged to gain access to rare archival material and artworks held in private collections, helping me piece together the story of his life and career. I’m excited to share these discoveries with visitors to the exhibition, giving Adam Bruce Thomson the attention he deserves.”
The exhibition is accompanied by a book – Adam Bruce Thomson: The Quiet Path (Sansom & Company, 2024) ‑ written by Dr Helen Scott with a foreword by Sir Alexander McCall Smith CBE, who says: “Attention to the work of Adam Bruce Thomson is long overdue and much welcomed. Helen Scott is to be thanked for reminding us of a very fine artist who has not received the attention he is undoubtedly due.”
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
