Tag: impressionism

Edinburgh welcomes Beyond Monet and Beyond Van Gogh

Visitors captivated by moving immersive experiences on opening weekend at the Royal Highland Centre

Art lovers have flocked to the opening weekend of two atmospheric multimedia experiences which plunge viewers into the colourful worlds of a pair of iconic artists.

Beyond Van Gogh and Beyond Monet are being staged at the Royal Highland Centre until Friday, 2 January 2026 – with Edinburgh hosting the Scottish premiere of Beyond Monet which celebrates the life and work of the ‘Father of Impressionism’.

The two experiences were officially opened on Friday evening during a special press and VIP launch event at the prestigious Edinburgh venue.

They will run on different days throughout the five-week residency, and tickets for both are being sold separately. The attraction is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Along with the stunning 360-degree visual and audio experience in the 10,000sq ft main space, each experience will include the chance to linger in captivating new reflection room which extends the magical world of both artists.

Produced by Annerin Productions and Paquin Entertainment Group, Beyond Monet: The Immersive Experience celebrates the groundbreaking work of the French artist in mesmerising and colourful fashion.

In the immersive impressionist extravaganza, cutting-edge technology breathes new life into more than 400 of the legendary French painter’s canvases, taking visitors on a spectacular and unforgettable audio-visual journey through his captivating and colourful world.

Beyond Monet brings together some of the artist’s most famous paintings – including Poppies, Impression: Sunrise and his exquisite Water Lilies series – with lesser-known works which all swirl around the space, offering a fresh and exciting new look at much-loved masterpieces and a deeper connection with Monet, his subjects and his innovative technique.

Taking inspiration from Musée de l’Orangerie in Paris, the designated home of Monet’s works, visitors can freely roam the Infinity Room where they are transported inside the paintings themselves to the accompaniment of a moving original score.

Meanwhile, Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience brings together more than 300 of the Dutch post-Impressionist icon’s paintings blended with cutting-edge technology and a specially curated musical soundtrack to tell the story of one of history’s most influential artists, with people able to wander through iconic works – including The Starry Night, Sunflowers and Terrace of a Café at Night – as they came alive around them.

The visit is also enhanced by the addition of a new ‘reflection’ room. All art lovers will be able to enjoy walking through Waterlily Alley, an enchanting recreation of Monet’s gardens at Giverny, and a bloom-flanked Sunflower Alley paying tribute to Vincent Van Gogh.

Edinburgh visitors are only the second to experience the new space which received its world premiere in Liverpool this summer.

In addition, the residency at the Royal Highland Centre includes two bespoke Relaxed Sessions, designed with support from Scotland’s We Too! Inclusive events charity, to enable neurodivergent visitors to enjoy both experiences to the full. 

The Beyond Monet Relaxed Session will be between 11am and 2pm on Tuesday, 16 December and the Beyond Van Gogh Relaxed Session on Wednesday, 17 December from 2.30-4.30pm.

And a special Lothian Service 98 shuttle will run to the venue on Saturdays and Sundays, departing from the Assembly Rooms in George Street, with stops at Shandwick Place and Haymarket and then following the same route as the number 31 bus.

The shuttle will operate every half an hour outbound from 9.15am to 4.45pm, and will make the return journey from 11.10am to 5.40pm. Full details of the exact route and fares are available from www.lothianbuses.com

This is Annerin Productions’ third visit to Scotland following Beyond Van Gogh at Glasgow’s SEC in 2024 – where it won critical acclaim and was seen by 50,000 visitors, and at the P&J Live in Aberdeen this summer.

It is the first time the entertainment company has staged anything in Edinburgh.

The Royal Highland Centre is Scotland’s biggest indoor and outdoor venue. Located at Ingliston to the west of the city centre, with good transport links including the A8, motorway network and Edinburgh Airport, it welcomes more than one million visitors a year and delivers some of the biggest events in Scotland.

It makes it the perfect location for Beyond Monet and Beyond Van Gogh.

Anna Parry, UK Business Development at Annerin Productions, said: “What a wonderful opening weekend in Edinburgh – I’m absolutely thrilled with the response to Beyond Monet and Beyond Van Gogh that we’ve enjoyed here in the Scottish capital.

“Visitors have been enchanted and many have also been moved by being immersed in the wonderful worlds of these two visionaries with a paintbrush and palette.

“The way in which both experiences have been designed means they are completely accessible to people of all ages, making it the perfect family-friendly activity for the festive season. And I’m delighted we’re also able to offer special relaxed sessions at the Royal Highland Centre with the support of We Too!”

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Website –  www.beyondvangogh.co.uk

Facebook – Beyond Van Gogh UK | Beyond Monet UK

Instagram – @beyondvangoghuk | @beyondmonetuk

TikTok – @beyondvangoghuk

LISTINGS INFORMATION

BEYOND MONET/ BEYOND VAN GOGH

VENUE: Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Newbridge, EH28 8NB.

DATE: Saturday 29 November – Friday 2 January 2026 (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day)

TIME: Starting from 10am

PRICE: From £23.94 for adults (Concessions are available). VIP entrance from £41.47

Family Ticket and VIP Experience tickets available

Three and under go Free

(Booking fees not included). | Flexible entry ticket types available

Entry is by timed ticket. No change of date or time is permitted unless you have purchased flexible ticket add on. Please arrive 15 minutes before your entrance time.

VIP Experience includes flexibility to arrive at any point until 4pm on your selected date, fast track entry and choice of selected merchandise package.

Tickets can be booked via www.beyondvangogh.co.uk/edinburgh

Relaxed sessions can be booked via https://www.beyondvangogh.co.uk/book-tickets-pages/edinburgh?flow=oJ8GACn9

Beyond Monet and Beyond Van Gogh coming to Edinburgh this Christmas

  • Scottish premiere of immersive experience which brings Monet’s impressionist masterpieces thrillingly to life
  • Spectacular seasonal treat for art lovers in the Scottish capital

Edinburgh art lovers are being given the opportunity to enjoy not one but two stunning multimedia experiences this Christmas.

Beyond Monet and Beyond Van Gogh come to the Scottish capital from Saturday, 29 November 2025 to Sunday, 4 January 2026 – with Edinburgh hosting the Scottish premiere of the experience which brings the works of ‘Father of Impressionism’ Claude Monet to life in thrilling fashion.

The immersive spectaculars will be staged on different days throughout the five-week run at the Royal Highland Centre,

Tickets for both go on pre-sale at 9am today. 

People are being encouraged to sign up for the chance to be the first to secure tickets on www.beyondvangogh.co.uk/edinburgh

General sale opens on Wednesday, 18 June at 10am.

And there are a range of entry ticket options including special family tickets and ‘parent and child’ tickets which offer great savings on individual prices.

The Royal Highland Centre is Scotland’s biggest indoor and outdoor venue. Located at Ingliston to the west of Edinburgh city centre, it welcomes more than one million visitors a year and delivers some of the biggest events in Scotland.

It makes it the perfect location for Beyond Monet and Beyond Van Gogh, with both multimedia extravaganzas featuring an immersive room which is 10,000sq ft in size.

The centre is also perfectly positioned with good transport links including the A8, the motorway network and Edinburgh Airport.

Produced by Annerin Productions and Paquin Entertainment Group, Beyond Monet: The Immersive Experience celebrates the groundbreaking work of the ‘Father of Impressionism’ in mesmerising and colourful fashion.

In the immersive impressionist extravaganza, cutting-edge technology breathes new life into more than 400 of the legendary French painter’s canvases, taking visitors on a spectacular and unforgettable audio-visual journey through his captivating and colourful world.

Beyond Monet brings together some of the artist’s most famous paintings – including Poppies, Impression: Sunrise and his exquisite Water Lilies series – with lesser-known works which all swirl around the space, offering a fresh and exciting new look at much-loved masterpieces and a deeper connection with Monet, his subjects and his innovative technique.

Taking inspiration from Musée de l’Orangerie in Paris, the designated home of Monet’s works, visitors can freely roam the Infinity Room where they are transported inside the paintings themselves to the accompaniment of a moving original score.

Meanwhile, Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience brings together more than 300 of the post-Impressionist icon’s paintings blended with cutting-edge technology and a specially curated musical soundtrack to tell the story of one of history’s most influential artists, with people able to wander through iconic works – including The Starry Night, Sunflowers and Terrace of a Café at Night – as they came alive around them.

This is Annerin Productions’ third visit to Scotland following Beyond Van Gogh at Glasgow’s SEC in 2024 – where it won critical acclaim and was seen by 50,000 visitors, and the same experience’s residency at the P&J Live in Aberdeen this summer.

It is the first time the entertainment company has staged anything in Edinburgh.

Anna Parry, UK Business Development at Annerin Productions, said today: “I’m absolutely delighted we’re bringing Beyond Van Gogh to Edinburgh this Christmas, particularly after the very warm welcome Scottish art lovers have already given the experience in Glasgow and the demand for tickets for this summer’s Aberdeen run.

“I’m also excited to be able to present a very special Scottish premiere – Beyond Monet: The Immersive Experience – in the city. Edinburgh was at the heart of the Scottish Enlightenment and art has always played a hugely important role in its cultural landscape.

“Beyond Monet is a stunning show packed with many of his most important and most powerful artworks, immersing art lovers in his revolutionary impressionist world and accompanied by a wonderfully evocative soundtrack.

“With both experiences running throughout December and into the New Year, they’re an ideal festive gift for the art lover in your life, as well as being a great day out for families looking to do something together in the run up to and over the Christmas holidays.

“The Royal Highland Centre is the perfect venue for both Beyond Van Gogh and Beyond Monet and I’m excited to work with the team there who have been incredibly supportive and enthusiastic about our vision.”

Mark Currie, Director of Venue at Royal Highland Centre, said: “Being able to host such unique and immersive events like Beyond Van Gogh and Beyond Monet at the Royal Highland Centre is testament to the truly unique space we have here at Ingliston.

“As Scotland’s largest indoor and outdoor venue, we have an extremely versatile space, and we can’t wait to see these art masterpieces come to life in such an exceptional way for those across the city and beyond to enjoy!”

Website –  www.beyondvangogh.co.uk

Facebook – Beyond Van Gogh UK | Beyond Monet UK

Instagram – @beyondvangoghuk | @beyondmonetuk

Hidden Van Gogh self-portrait discovered by National Galleries of Scotland

Sensational find to go on display in Edinburgh this summer

The National Galleries of Scotland has discovered what is almost certainly a previously unknown self-portrait by Vincent van Gogh.

Believed to be a first for a UK institution, the mysterious image was revealed by an x-ray taken when art conservators examined Van Gogh’s Head of a Peasant Woman of 1885 ahead of the forthcoming exhibition A Taste for Impressionism (30 July–13 November) at the Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh. Visitors will be able to see the amazing x-ray image for the first timethrough a specially crafted lightbox at the centre of thedisplay.

Hidden from view for over a century, the self-portrait is on the back of the canvas with Head of a Peasant Woman and is covered by layers of glue and cardboard. NGS experts believe these materials were applied ahead of an exhibition in the early twentieth century. Van Gogh often re-used canvases to save money. However, instead of painting over earlier works, he would turn the canvas around and work on the reverse.

It may be possible to uncover the hidden self-portrait, but the process of removing the glue and cardboard will require delicate conservation work. Research is ongoing as to how that can be done without harming Head of a Peasant Woman.

Until then, the world can enjoy the tantalising discovery through a ghostly and utterly compelling x-ray image. It shows a bearded sitter in a brimmed hat with a neckerchief loosely tied at the throat. He fixes the viewer with an intense stare, the right side of his face in shadow and his left ear clearly visible.

Professor Frances Fowle, Senior Curator of French Art at the National Galleries of Scotland, said: “Moments like this are incredibly rare. We have discovered an unknown work by Vincent van Gogh, one of the most important and popular artists in the world.

“What an incredible gift for Scotland, and one that will forever be in the care of the National Galleries. We are very excited to share this thrilling discovery in our big summer exhibition A Taste for Impressionism, where the x-ray image of the self-portrait will be on view for all to see.”

The condition of the underlying self-portrait is not known but, if it can be uncovered, it is expected to help shed new light on this enigmatic and beguiling artist.

Later in date than the Head of a Peasant Woman, the hidden painting is likely to have been made during a key moment in Van Gogh’s career, when he was exposed to the work of the French impressionists after moving to Paris. The experience had a profound effect and was a major influence on why he adopted a more colourful and expressive style of painting – one that is so much admired today.

Head of a Peasant Woman entered the NGS collection in 1960, as part of the gift of an Edinburgh lawyer, Alexander Maitland, in memory of his wife Rosalind. Dating from an early period in Van Gogh’s career, the painting shows a local woman from the town of Nuenen in the south of the Netherlands, where the artist lived from December 1883 to November 1885.

Painted in March or April 1885, it seems to be a likeness of Gordina de Groot (known as Sien) who was a model for Van Gogh’s early masterpiece The Potato Eaters of 1885 (Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam). Her facial features, white cap and simple work clothes are sketched in oil, using broad brushstrokes and earthy colours typical of French realist artists such as Jean-François Millet, whom Van Gogh greatly admired.

In 1886 the artist moved to Paris to be closer to his brother Theo, who was an early supporter of the Impressionists. Exposed to the work of this revolutionary group of artists, Van Gogh lightened his palette and experimented with broken brushwork.

At the studio of Fernand Cormon, where he took classes in painting, he met avant-garde artists such as Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Emile Bernard. He also encountered the work of Georges Seurat and Paul Gauguin, under whose influence he began to paint more expressively, using brighter colours.

In the summer of 1887 Van Gogh was experimenting with painting portraits, using friends and also himself as a model. Theo was out of town and unable to assist financially, so Van Gogh re-used canvases to save money. Van Gogh died in 1890 and his brother followed six months later, at which point the artist’s entire oeuvre was left to Theo’s widow, Jo Van Gogh-Bonger.

Probably around 1905, when the Peasant Woman was lent to an exhibition at the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam, the decision was made to stick the canvas down on cardboard prior to framing. At this date the Peasant Woman was evidently considered more ‘finished’ than the Van Gogh self-portrait.

The painting changed hands several times and in 1923 was acquired by Evelyn St. Croix Fleming, whose son, Ian, became the creator of James Bond. It was not until 1951 that it came to Scotland, having entered the collection of Alexander and Rosalind Maitland.

Neil Hanna Photography www.neilhannaphotography.co.uk 07702 246823

Once revealed, the hidden self-portrait will be part of a group of several such self-portraits and other works painted on the back of earlier canvases from the Nuenen period.

Five examples are in the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam. Others in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Hartford, Connecticut; and the Kunstmuseum Den Haag.

Records in the Van Gogh Museum confirm that in 1929 the cardboard was removed from three of their Nuenen pictures by the Dutch restorer Jan Cornelis Traas, revealing the portraits on the verso.

Pictures: Neil Hanna