Engraving from 'Old and New Edinburgh' - National Galleries

The National Gallery

Here is an interior view of the National Gallery.

Edinburgh Photogrpahic Society held two major exhibitions at the National Galleries at the Foot of the Mound, one in 1876 and one in 1890.

I am am not sure which of the two galleries at the Foot of the Mound was used, but here is a copy of the season ticket for the 1890 Exhibition.

Season Ticket (outside)

Season Ticket (inside)

Press Reports

The 1890 Exhibition was widely reported in the Press. Here are some extracts from the reports:

“We may say at once that no exhibition of recent years has equaled the manner in which the rooms are arranged. True, the Royal Scottish Academy National Galleries are not only eminently adapted for the purpose, but are in themselves beautifully designed and decorated.

Not content with this however, the Society has still further improved the general appearance by artistic drapery. The galleries consist of a series of alcoves with archways between. These run in a straight line, and the view from either end is enchanting, compared to the rough and ready style of most of our exhibitions. The archways are draped, and round the two sides of each alcove, just above the pictures runs a continuous drapery.

Plants, handsome lounges and chairs, and curtains go to form accompaniments that are in themselves extremely attractive. . . . . At Edinburgh everything is done neatly, and the artistic mind receives no shocks, but is pleased form beginning to end."

“The President, Mr Hippolyte Blanc, is quite an enthusiast in the educational aspect. All round, just underneath the drapery above the pictures, appear the names of the various inventors and discoverers; and the collection of loan pictures of old work is not only interesting, but far away exceeds anything of the kind attempted before. These in themselves are quite a feature of the exhibition and reflect great credit upon the Council of the Society."