The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art is one of three Edinburgh art museums that comprise the Scottish National Galleries.
Focusing on modern and contemporary art, the museum's collection spans the period 1900 to the present day. Among the artists represnted in the collection are Matisse, Picasso, Bonnard, Warhold, Dali and Hockney. When the museum opened in 1960, its home was Inverleith House in Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden. It moved to its present location in 1984. The National Gallery of Modern Art now occupies two stately buildings that provide a counterpoint to their contents. Modern One is a Neo-classical building designed by William Burn in 1825. The building was originally an institute for fatherless children. It was converted into an art gallery in 1984. Most of the space is devoted to exhibits from the museum's permanent collection, which change on a regular basis. Modern Two was designed by Thomas Hamilton and opened in 1833 as the Dean Orphan Hospital. Today, it is used for temporary exhibits as well as to exhibit works from the museum's collection of Surrealist art. Another feature is a recreation of the studio of sculptor Eduardo Paolozzi. His giant sculpture “Vulcan” is in Modern Two's cafe. Both of the buildings are surrounded by park that has been enhanced with modern sculptures including works by Henry Moore and Joan Miro. The are in front of Modern One was re-landscaped according to a design by Charles Jencks that includes three crescent shaped ponds around a serpentine mound. Also in this area is Pig Rock Bothy where there is a changing program of performances, discussions, displays and events. The two buildings lie across Bedord Road from one another. It is some distance from the Scottish National Gallery. However, the Scottish National Galleries runs a van that goes to the Modern from the National Gallery for a nominal donation. For more information on visiting the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, see the Scottish National Galleries website. Right: The sculptured grounds in front of Modern One.
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Above: Modern Two.
Below: Modern One. For more on traveling to Scotland
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Places to see art - - Edinburgh, Scotland - - Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art