National Galleries of Scotland

Glasgow Boys

A loose grouping of painters working in Glasgow in the late 19th century. Though there was no overall style or formal membership, they did exhibit together and shared an interest in rural scenes. Artists included John Lavery, Joseph Crawhall and James Guthrie.

Glasgow Institute

The Royal Glasgow Institute of Fine Arts was founded in 1861 with the aim of organising exhibitions of contemporary art. It continues to do so today, hosting exhibitions at the Kelly Gallery and organising a major annual exhibition which, throughout its history, has often been held at the city's McLellan Galleries.

Royal Scottish Academy

The Royal Scottish Academy (RSA) was formed in Edinburgh in 1826 by Scottish artists who felt alienated by what they perceived as the elitism of the Royal Institution and its management of contemporary art exhibitions. In 1835, the RSA secured exhibition rights in the Royal Institution building, which had been erected on The Mound by the Board of Manufactures in 1826. The RSA and the Board frequently argued over responsibilities for advanced art education. From 1859, the RSA shared the premises of the new National Gallery of Scotland under the Board?s custody. In 1910, after transferring most of its art collections to the Gallery, the RSA gained exclusive tenancy of the former Royal Institution building, where it continues to hold large-scale annual exhibitions.

Scottish Colourists

A group of Scottish painters comprising S.J. Peploe, F.C.B. Cadell, Leslie Hunter and J.D. Fergusson who were active in the early 20th century. They all spent time in France and were influenced by French artists' bold use of colour and free brushwork.