Last chance to view iconic masterpiece on Scottish art tour

The team at Perth Museum and Art Gallery has urged people across the region to make sure they catch a glimpse of the Monarch of the Glen exhibition before it leaves.

The Monarch of the Glen, painted in 1951 by Sir Edwin Landseer, has two weeks left on display at the Fair City museum, as part of the National Galleries of Scotland’s tour around the country.

Reflecting on the iconic masterpiece’s stop-off in Perth, the team at Culture Perth and Kinross say the highlight of the exhibition was taking the painting up to Breadalbane Academy in Aberfeldy in the National Galleries’ moving art truck.

Before the Perth exhibition was opened in November, the painting, which has been featured on a number of whisky labels over the years, was taken out to the Highland Perthshire school to let younger art-lovers get a close-up look.

The inspiration for the stop at Breadalbane Academy actually came from a sketch on BBC Scotland’s Chewin’the Fat, where a mobile shop van ended up containing a miniature art gallery inside.

Helen Smout, chief executive of Culture Perth and Kinross, said the whole team have enjoyed having The Monarch of the Glen in Perth.

She said:“It has been delightful to be able to host this iconic paitning.

“Its detour to Aberfeldy was a highlight of our year, giving Breadalbane Academy students a chance to see it up close.

“We encourage visitors to make the mot of the Monarch of the Glen’s stay in Perth and stop by to witness an important piece of Scottish culture.”

Landseer’s Monarch of the Glen exhibition will be on display at the city centre museum until Saturday, January 13.

Perth Museum and Art Gallery will be closed over the New Year festivities, but is set to re-open to the public as normal from Wednesday, January 3.