Impressionism and Scotland

This stunning exhibition is hosted by The National Gallery of Scotland on the Mound until 12 October 2008.

The exhibition includes over 100 paintings from artists including Monet, Sisley, Degas and Whistler and covers the history of Impressionism and its effects on the Scottish art scene of the time. I went round the exhibition twice, once to have a close look at the paintings and to read the interesting labels that outline the influences between artists, and then standing in the middle of the room to get a better perspective on things - if ever paintings needed to be appreciated from afar its these ones.

My favourite paintings were those by Monet (especially Poplars on the Epte and his vibrant seascapes), and George Reid's painting of Montrose with the stunning clouds and reflections in the water. A large number of the paintings are landscapes and many others focus either on the dying traditions of rural life or on the industrialisation that was then beginning to threaten these traditions.

Bondbloke also recently saw this exhibition, you can read his review here on A Brush with Art.