National Galleries Scotland

The National Galleries of Scotland (Scottish Gaelic: Gailearaidhean Nàiseanta na h-Alba) is an executive non-departmental public body under the Scottish Government. Its statutory role, defined by the National Galleries of Scotland Act 1906 and amended by the National Heritage (Scotland) Act 1985, is to manage the national collection of Scottish and international art. The organization is mandated to care for, preserve, and add to its collections, exhibit artworks to the public, and promote education and public enjoyment of the Fine Arts. It governs three national galleries in Edinburgh: the Scottish National Gallery, the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, and the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, alongside two partner galleries.

The collection spans from the Renaissance to the present day, with a strong emphasis on Scottish art. A pivotal moment in the collection's history was the 1945 loan by the Duke of Sutherland, which included five Titians, two Raphaels, and a Rembrandt self-portrait, many of which were later acquired. The gallery holds the Maitland collection of French late nineteenth and early twentieth-century paintings, featuring works by Degas, Monet, Pissarro, Renoir, and Van Gogh. The Scottish collection is particularly renowned for its portraits of the Stewart dynasty and the pioneering works of the Scottish Colourists. The Modern galleries house a superb collection of Dada and Surrealism, as well as a significant gift of works by the sculptor Sir Eduardo Paolozzi.