Aberdeen Art Gallery

Designed by local architect Alexander Marshall MacKenzie, Aberdeen's splendid Art Gallery opened in 1885 and is the largest public gallery in the North of Scotland. Situated in the heart of the city, with its impressive architecture, outstanding collections and excellent special exhibitions programme, it attracts more than 200,000 visitors each year.

Aberdeen Art Gallery houses one of the most important art collections in the country ranging from 18th century portraits by Raeburn, Hogarth, Ramsey and Reynolds to powerful 20th century works by Paul Nash, Ben Nicholson, Stanley Spencer and Francis Bacon. The paintings also include excellent examples by French Impressionists and Post Impressionists Monet, Renoir, Sisley, Bonnard, Toulouse-Lautrec and Degas.

In the Gallery's magnificent centre court displayed at intervals between the grey and rose granite columns are highlights of the contemporary art collection including works by Damien Hirst, Alison Watt, Kenny Hunter, Louise Hopkins and Gavin Turk.

The significant collection of Applied Art includes ceramics, costume, furniture, glass, jewellery, metalwork and textiles. A programme of temporary exhibitions showcases a selection of Applied Art objects in the back court. The collection is particularly strong in the areas of metalwork, jewellery and enamelling, featuring work by the early Aberdeen silversmiths, the Aberdeen artist, James Cromar Watt and contemporary makers, such as Malcolm Appleby, Maureen Edgar and Michael Lloyd.

Within the Art Gallery the James McBey Print Room and Art Library, built in memory of the celebrated local artist, houses a large collection of prints, drawings and photographs and changing displays of prints.

One of the most popular aspects of Aberdeen Art Gallery is its exciting programme of special exhibitions and events, created from the city's permanent collections and a lively selection of touring exhibition from home and abroad.