Vivien Alexander is the best-known artist with works in Art; next come George Melhuish, Wilma Dunbar and Will Maclean.
Below, the 21 best-known of the 39 artists with works of Art in our catalogue (95 works), each with what the museum holds of them.
The masters of the originals
The 10 masters whose originals hang in Art
For each master: where and when they were born, their movement, how many originals the museum keeps in our catalogue, a note from their life, and the originals to see.
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1. Vivien Alexander born 1940
born 1940 7 originals at Art
Alexander’s career began modestly, initially exploring decorative arts before gravitating towards painting. However, it was her fascination with the ancient art of enameling – a technique she meticulously mastered over years of dedicated study – that truly defined her artistic path. While Alexander’s work with Fabergé eggs brought her international recognition, it was her landscape paintings that truly captured the essence of her artistic spirit.
Originals at Art
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2. George Melhuish 1916–1985
1916–1985 2 originals at Art
Born in Bristol, a city undergoing rapid transformation during his formative years, Melhuish’s early life instilled within him a deep appreciation for both its industrial heritage and the poignant beauty of its decaying architecture.
Originals at Art
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3. Wilma Dunbar born 1946
born 1946 2 originals at Art
Wilma Dunbar, born in 1946 and still actively creating today, is a singular voice within contemporary American art —a painter deeply rooted in the landscapes and cultural narratives of the American Southwest. However, it was her return to Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen, Scotland, that truly ignited her creative fire. Dunbar’s artistic focus quickly settled on the American Southwest – a region she experienced firsthand during extended periods of travel.
Originals at Art
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4. Will Maclean born 1941
born 1941 2 originals at Art
Will Maclean, born in Inverness in 1941 and still actively creating today, is a singular figure in contemporary British art. Maclean's early life was steeped in the rhythms of Gaelic culture and maritime tradition. Born into a family with strong Highland roots, he spent his youth absorbing the lore and customs of the region. Maclean's process is deliberate and painstaking, mirroring the slow, patient rhythms of nature itself.
Originals at Art
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5. Kate Downie born 1958
born 1958 2 originals at Art
Kate Downie, born in 1958, is a British artist whose evocative landscapes and intimate portraits have garnered significant acclaim within the contemporary art world. However, it was a pivotal trip to the United States in 1987, encountering the work of artists like Andrew Wyeth and Fairfield Porter, that truly ignited her artistic vision.
Originals at Art
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6. Olivia Irvine born 1960
born 1960 2 originals at Art
Irvine’s artistic foundation was forged at the prestigious Edinburgh College of Art, where she earned her BA Honours in Drawing and Painting along with a Diploma in Postgraduate Studies.
Originals at Art
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7. Maggie Milne born 1957
born 1957 2 originals at Art
Milne’s technique is rooted in traditional oil painting methods, yet she infuses her work with a remarkable sensitivity to color and texture. While Milne is perhaps best known for her biblical scenes, her artistic range extends beyond this singular focus.
Originals at Art
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Contemporary Realism
8. Damian Callan born 1960
born 1960 Contemporary Realism 2 originals at Art
Callan employs a technique where paint is applied in thick layers, creating textured surfaces that capture light and shadow with remarkable accuracy.
Originals at Art
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6 originals at Art
Jila Peacock is an Iranian-born artist whose work beautifully bridges the worlds of painting, printmaking, medicine, and poetry. In 1959, she moved to the United Kingdom, embarking on a rigorous eight-year study of medicine at London University. The resulting piano trio was first performed at the Alderton Arts festival in 2001 and later at the prestigious Aldeburgh Music Festival in 2016, demonstrating the power of interdisciplinary artistic dialogue.
Originals at Art
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10. Andrew Mackenzie born 1969
born 1969 4 originals at Art
Born in Edinburgh, Mackenzie honed his artistic skills at Edinburgh College of Art, establishing a foundation rooted in both formal training and an innate sensitivity to visual form. Mackenzie’s formative years were marked by exposure to diverse artistic traditions, including Impressionism and Cubism.
Originals at Art
The masters, continued
No. 11 to No. 21: more masters of Art
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11. Barry James Mcglashan
born 1974 · 3 originals at Art
- Imaginary Landscape (1995)
- Round the Mountain (1995)
- Glimpse (2001)
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12. Archie Sutter Watt
2 originals at Art
- Still Life I (1996)
- Landscape with Cattle (1990)
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13. Ruth Addinall
3 originals at Art
- White Jug and Orange (1994)
- Landscape, Wensleydale (1994)
- Stargazers (1994)
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14. Helen Glassford
2 originals at Art
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15. Sheila Mullen
4 originals at Art
- Kinnel Water – June (1994)
- A Windy Day at Beechfield (1994)
- Old Curling Pond (1997)
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16. Ann Mcphail
6 originals at Art
- Out of the Woods (1996)
- Spiritual Crossing (1996)
- See Beyond (1996)
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17. Clare Wardman
2 originals at Art
- Ocean Muse (1996)
- Magic Squares (1997)
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18. Colin Black
9 originals at Art
- Royal Purple (2004)
- Isle of Dreams (2004)
- Foundation Stone (2004)
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19. Pat Douthwaite
1934–2002 · born in Glasgow, United Kingdom · 2 originals at Art
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20. Lucinda Mackay
born 1941 · born in United Kingdom · 3 originals at Art
- Cyclamens and Figurines (1992)
- Pink Geraniums (1992)
- Mask with Azalea
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21. Robert Innes
born 1964 · born in Scotland · 10 originals at Art
- Horizons (1994)
- Picking Sea Coal (1994)
The house in figures
The masters of Art, in figures
The masters with the most originals at Art
Masters with two originals or more, by century of birth
Masters with two originals or more, by country of birth
Masters with two originals or more, by movement
Women masters
The women whose originals hang in Art
4 women masters, 7 originals, in our catalogue of Art.
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Lucinda Mackay
born 1941 · born in United Kingdom · 3 originals at Art
- Cyclamens and Figurines (1992)
- Pink Geraniums (1992)
- Mask with Azalea
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Pat Douthwaite
1934–2002 · born in Glasgow, United Kingdom · 2 originals at Art
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Barbara Balmer
1929–2017 · born in Birmingham, United Kingdom · 1 originals at Art
- April 1997 (1997)
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Asked of us
Questions on the masters of Art
Open a question to read the answer.
Who is the most famous artist in Art?
Vivien Alexander, with 7 works at Art in our catalogue (Irises on Blue, The Garden Pond and Gala Water); then George Melhuish and Wilma Dunbar.
What did Vivien Alexander paint that hangs in Art?
7 works by Vivien Alexander at Art are in our catalogue: Irises on Blue (1996), The Garden Pond (1998), Gala Water (1996) and Blue Checked Cloth (1996) among them.
What did George Melhuish paint that hangs in Art?
2 works by George Melhuish at Art are in our catalogue: Abstract Pink and Brown and Abstract – Summer Sunset among them.
How many Wilma Dunbar paintings are in Art?
2 works by Wilma Dunbar at Art are in our catalogue: Tuscany Hill (1993) and Crowfields, Dunning (1993) among them.
Which famous artists are displayed in Art?
The ten best-known artists with works in Art are Vivien Alexander (7), George Melhuish (2), Wilma Dunbar (2), Will Maclean (2), Kate Downie (2), Olivia Irvine (2), Maggie Milne (2), Damian Callan (2), Jila Peacock (6) and Andrew Mackenzie (4).
Who has the most paintings in the collection of Art?
Our catalogue holds 10 works by Robert Innes at Art; next come Colin Black (9), Vivien Alexander (7) and Jila Peacock (6).
Are there Leonardo da Vinci works in Art?
Our catalogue lists no work by Leonardo da Vinci at Art.
Is Pablo Picasso in Art?
Our catalogue lists no work by Pablo Picasso at Art.
Which women artists are in Art?
4 women artists have works of Art in our catalogue, among them Lucinda Mackay (3), Pat Douthwaite (2), Barbara Balmer (1) and Margot Sandeman (1).
Are the artists in Art mostly French, Italian or Dutch?
By country of birth, the artists with two works or more at Art are mostly from United Kingdom (2) and Scotland (1).
Which centuries do the painters of Art belong to?
The 20th century leads with 13 artists born then. In this ranking, George Melhuish (1916–1985) is the earliest born and Barry James Mcglashan (born 1974) the latest.
How many artists have works in Art?
39 artists have at least one work of Art in our catalogue; 21 have two or more. They were born between 1916 and 1974, in 2 countries.
The house
Art, Edinburgh, in a few lines
A Sanctuary of Scottish Vision: Exploring the National Gallery of Modern Art
Founded in 1964 as a response to the burgeoning interest in modern art movements, the gallery has evolved into a dynamic space showcasing both established masters and emerging voices, bridging centuries of artistic expression with a vibrant contemporary pulse. The gallery's collection is remarkably diverse, reflecting a deep commitment to Scottish art alongside a global perspective on modern and contemporary movements. Early works by artists like James Abercrombie and George Leslie Pearce offer glimpses into the Pictorialist movement, characterized by soft focus and evocative landscapes – a direct response to the burgeoning photographic medium of the late 19th century. Moving through the decades, visitors encounter the bold abstractions of John Duncan Fergusson, whose vibrant color palettes and dynamic compositions capture the energy of post-war Scotland. The gallery’s strength lies in its ability to present these diverse strands as a cohesive narrative, revealing how artistic styles have evolved while retaining a distinctly Scottish sensibility.
Architectural Echoes: A Tale of Two Buildings
The unique character of the National Gallery of Modern Art is inextricably linked to its architecture. Its conversion into gallery space feels remarkably organic, preserving the building’s inherent charm while seamlessly integrating modern art displays.
The famous originals of ArtArt: the full page, 95 originalsThe museums of Edinburgh
How the masters of the originals are ranked
The masters with two originals or more of Art in our catalogue are ranked by fame: the Wikipedia language editions that describe them, the visits to their OriginalUniqueArt.com page and our studio's ranking. Originals are counted in our catalogue — one entry per work, without details, studies or copies — not in the museum's inventory. Every date, birthplace and movement is the catalogue's; the notes are drawn from the master's biography.
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