The latest reshuffle by Nicola... of artwork
SHE is the first woman to occupy Bute House, the official residence of the First Minister of Scotland.
But Nicola Sturgeon has ensured she is not the only female in the historic building’s corridors of power.
For the SNP leader, below, has ordered a massive increase in the number of paintings of women – or by women – hanging on the walls.
At the same time, a series of paintings by, or featuring, men have been taken down. Among the latter are three by Sir Henry Raeburn, including one of the violinist and composer Niel Gow – a work that was a favourite of Alex Salmond.
In their place are a number of paintings by female artists, or with female subjects. The abstract artist Wilhelmina Barns-Graham – known as Willie – is one of the big winners with three paintings introduced – Glacier Chasm; Red Painting; and Expanding Forms, Black and White.
Anne Redpath is also a favourite, with Erbalunga, Corsica and Playa de San Cristobal selected by the First Minister.
Also chosen are Red Roofs by the pioneering dancer Margaret Morris Fergusson; Seine Boat by Joan Eardley; Porca Quay, Aberdeen by Frances Richardson; The Spanish Shawl by Dame Ethel Walker; and Elizabeth Blackadder’s portrait of the Scottish writer Mollie Hunter.
Other paintings introduced to Bute House have featured women, including Norman Edgar’s portrait of former SNP leader Winnie Ewing, and John Watson Gordon’s portrayal of the songwriter Lady Carolina Oliphant.
Portraits of the muscian Marjory Kennedy and the folk singer Jean Redpath are also new additions.
Artworks are loaned from the national collections. A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘Artwork on display is periodically reviewed and refreshed, and the First Minister has provided input to that process, including suggestions for more depictions of prominent women and of work by Scottish female artists.’
As well as female artists, the works on display at Bute House have been chosen for themes of music and conviviality.