From Scotland with love: where talk is cheap, threads are cast and garden air is warmish
a weekly newsletter for curious & creative travellers
Fake or Fortune at the gallery free talk
National Galleries of Scotland, Edinburgh
20th May, in person and online, advance booking only
The 1920s saw a growing market for French Impressionist art, as the technique and subject matter appealed to modern aesthetics.
At the same time a parallel market for forgeries emerged, ending in two major scandals and subsequent trials in the 1930s around forgeries of Millet's and Van Gogh's work.
In the early 1920s the National Galleries of Scotland acquired two paintings, their first Impressionist works by Millet and Manet from the dealer and art critic David Croal Thomson. He had fallen victim to the fake paintings produced by Millet's grandson who had acquired the studio stamp of Millet and created over 200 fake works with an accomplice. He also sold forgeries of Manet and Corot. The grandson was brought to trial and UK and US art dealer expertise was ridiculed. In this free talk, Professor Frances Fowle reveals the truth behind the scandal and introduces her edited book The Art Market and the Museum.
Time Magazine and New York Times covered the story in the 1930s
Frances Fowle is Emeritus Professor of Nineteenth-Century Art at the University of Edinburgh and previously Senior Curator of French Art at the National Galleries of Scotland.
Enigmatic escape to Ring of Brightwater
Unusually, Tigh Beg Croft has availability for last-minute booking late May and early June. This secluded off-grid croft near Oban is a self-catering holiday cottage within a nostalgic setting. Sleeping up to four people, the whole croft is yours alone plus the fifty acres of land and coastline surrounding it. It’s situated at the sea entrance to Loch Feochan, with spectacular views down the 'Firth of Lorn'
The croft and this part of the coastline were used in the 1968 filming of Ring of Bright Water (1969) and in the final dramatic scenes of Enigma (2001), based on the Robert Harris thriller. So, you might find the descendant of Mij the otter, or his wee statue. Alternatively you might want to chase spies around the loch. Whatever suits you.
Check out the wee video below on their Instagram:
Behind the scenes at Scottish Opera
tour Glasgow, Inverness, Edinburgh and Aberdeen
until 14th June
I love this sneaky peek behind the scenes of The Merry Widow set production, currently touring around Scotland.
Already been to Glasgow but about to go to Eden Court Inverness and Festival Theatre, Edinburgh and finishing off in Aberdeen before a run in London. Find out more and book tickets here
Garden Futures at V&A Dundee
V&A Dundee
from 17th May
This long-anticipated exhibition highlights the connection between gardens and the world of art and design. Featuring Piet Oudolf, William Morris and Derek Jarman. A history of garden design that looks to the future of how garden design might evolve. Book your ticket here
Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival
Crawick Multiverse
25th May
As part of the Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival, enjoy a day of circus cabaret from home-grown Cirqulation at Crawick Multiverse land art installation park.
Highland Threads, a virtual exhibition
online
Fourteen museums across the Highlands showcase one of their most beloved items in this interactive online museum. Highland Threads was first launched in the midst of Covid lockdown and can still be accessed indefinitely. You can also read a fascinating wee history of each item. Enjoy some sensorial up close details that you could almost touch 🥴
Anne Estelle Rice and the Scottish Colourists talk
Dovecot Studios, Edinburgh
31st May
This will be a fascinating talk. How much do we know of this American artist who features in Dovecot’s latest exhibition on the Scottish Colourists - showing until 28th June and well worth seeing. Her relationship with Scottish Colourist JD Fergusson aside, Susan' Moore’s research will bring attention to an artist overlooked by art history. The talk includes a ticket to the exhibition.
From Scotland, with love.