This small display brings together portraits of individuals who lived under the reign of King James VI and his Queen Consort Anna of Denmark. It gives a glimpse into the variety of people living and working in Scotland in the 16th and 17th centuries and sheds light on some of their lesser-known stories.
From a jester to a jeweller, a calligrapher to a courtier, and poets to a university principal, these are just a few of the professions represented in the paintings and works on paper that are on display.
This display can be found within the larger Reformation to Revolution display.
Late 16th-century Edinburgh was a multicultural city. It was where the royal court was based, at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The court was home to the royal family and members of the nobility, but it also provided employment to large numbers of officials and domestic servants.
As the cultural heart of the city, the court attracted a wealth of artists, craftspeople, writers and musicians in search of royal patronage. While some of these people came to Scotland from Europe seeking fame and fortune, for others the country offered security and a new life to individuals and their families seeking refuge from religious or political persecution. See the display highlights below to discover more.
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Display accessibility
Location
Getting here
Located in the city centre on Queen Street, the Portrait is easy to access.
Related features
Talks & lectures | Introducing James’s People
In this illustrated talk, Kate Anderson explores a selection of artworks which are part of the display James's People.
Esther Inglis: Portrait of the Artist as a Young Woman
In this blog Kate Anderson focuses on a painting of the sixteenth-century writer and illustrator Esther Inglis.
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