About the Museum
Designed as a “shrine for Scotland’s heroes and heroines,” the iconic sandstone building of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery was opened in 1889, making it the world’s first purpose-built portrait gallery. Today it houses portraits of historical figures such as Mary Queen of Scots and Robert Burns and more recent works depicting famous sportsmen and women, authors, actors and scientists. Further highlights include the museum’s Great Hall, which features an impressive painted frieze by 19th-century artist William Hole, and the Victorian Library.
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Collection Highlights
Alison WattAlison Watt, 1986-1987
Gavin HamiltonDouglas Hamilton, 8th Duke of Hamilton and 5th Duke of Brandon (1756-1799) with Dr John Moore (1730-1802) and Sir John Moore (1761-1809) as a young boy, 1775-1777
Ken CurrieThree Oncologists (Professor RJ Steele, Professor Sir Alfred Cuschieri and Professor Sir David P Lane of the Department of Surgery and Molecular Oncology, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee), 2002
Mary, Queen of Scots, 1610-15
Sarah LucasSelf Portrait with Fried Eggs, 1996
