National Treasures | Vermeer in Edinburgh
National Galleries Scotland: National
Friday 10 May – Sunday 8 September 2024
Free
National Treasures | Vermeer in Edinburgh | National Galleries of Scotland
For the first time ever in Scotland, this summer visitors to National Galleries Scotland: National in Edinburgh can enjoy two paintings by world-famous artist Johannes Vermeer.
The free display, which opened on Friday (10 May) as part of the National Treasures celebration, will see A Young Woman Standing at a Virginal coming to Scotland from the National Gallery in London. The stunning artwork will be shown alongside Scotland’s own Vermeer, Christ in the House of Martha and Mary, one of the much-loved artist’s earliest paintings.
National Treasures marks the bicentenary of the National Gallery in London, with 12 of their most iconic paintings being lent to partners across the UK. This is also the first time ever that A Young Woman Standing at a Virginal has been on show in Scotland, presenting a unique, free opportunity for locals and visitors to Edinburgh this summer.
With only some 36 known works in the world by Vermeer, the National Galleries of Scotland is one of only 18 galleries worldwide to hold one in their collection and Christ in the House of Martha and Mary is the only Vermeer in a Scottish collection. National Treasures | Vermeer in Edinburgh presents a remarkable chance to compare a later Vermeer work with one of the artist’s earliest surviving paintings.
One of the most renowned artists in the world, Johannes Vermeer’s works have achieved iconic status, in part due to their scarcity. His early paintings differ greatly in subject matter to his later works, as the artist moved from painting history to capturing everyday scenes. Nearly all Vermeer’s works depict young women in calm, orderly domestic interiors, often playing musical instruments.
The work, Christ in the House of Martha and Mary, from about 1654 – 1655, is his largest and his only known work of a biblical subject. It depicts Christ’s visit to the sisters’ house, as written in Saint Luke’s Gospel.
In the picture, Martha complains that she is doing all the work while Maria is idling at Christ’s feet, however, Christ addresses Martha and praises Maria’s eagerness to listen to him. Given the unusual size and subject-matter it is likely that the painting was a specific commission, created by request.
The delicate, much smaller, A Young Woman Standing at a Virginal, from about 1670–2, depicts the subject standing with her hands on a keyboard, her head turned towards the viewer, holding our eye with a direct gaze.
She seems caught in a moment of expectation and uncertainty. Perhaps we have interrupted her playing, or maybe she is waiting for us so she can start. Maybe the empty chair in the foreground is significant: is she waiting for someone else?
The large painting on the wall behind her of a naked Cupid, the god of love, may help us to understand more. It seems to be a signal that this is not just a scene of music making, but that the woman is waiting for her lover.
For National Treasures | Vermeer in Edinburgh, A Young Woman Standing at a Virginal and Christ in the House of Martha and Mary will be on display amongst the National’s superb collection of Dutch and Flemish paintings. Visitors will also be able to enjoy the fascinating juxtaposition of his earliest work with the London later work until Sunday 8 September.
National Galleries of Scotland, Director-General, Anne Lyden, said: ”It is so exciting to be able to exhibit two Vermeer paintings, never seen in Scotland together before, alongside our wonderful collection.
“What a fantastic opportunity for visitors to the National this summer to see these two rare works at the same time. We would like to say congratulations to the National Gallery in London on their bicentenary and are thrilled to be a part of their fantastic programme of celebrations.”
National Treasures is a key strand of the programme celebrating the National Gallery in London’s bicentenary. 12 of the nation’s most well-known paintings are being lent to 12 venues across the UK. Paintings including, Constable’s The Hay Wain, Turner’s Fighting Temeraire and Monet’s The Water-Lily Pond will each travel to a regional centre such as Bristol, Newcastle and York. Each of the partners is set to mark the national treasure’s stay by organising events, exhibitions and digital interventions to showcase their works.
Alexandra Kavanagh, Head of National Touring at the National Gallery, London, said, “We are delighted to be partnering with the National in Edinburgh – it’s been so terrific seeing how our painting can have a dialogue with the wonderful Vermeer in their own collection.
“It’s brilliant to work with the National Galleries of Scotland and find new ways to collaborate and mutually support one another, bringing art to the public and caring for nationally significant collections.”
All National Treasures displays will open simultaneously on 10 May 2024, the 200th anniversary of the National Gallery’s opening in London, enabling people from all over the country to see, up close, some of the greatest works in the history of Western art. For the duration of the displays, 35 million people – more than half the UK population – will be within an hour’s journey of a National Gallery masterpiece.