HEAD TO HEAD REVIEWED BY J.R. MACLEAN
The current Head to Head exhibition of sculpture holdings from the National Galleries of Scotland collection in the Portrait Gallery is a miracle both of presentation and representation in the limited space of the Robertson Trust Gallery.
More than that, it is a tour-de-force by its inspired curator Imogen Gibbon in introducing us to a range of riches which are not often seen, and in the great variety of works – many of which take the breath away.
They range in time from the 1st century BC to 2014, and in size from Sir Jacob Epstein's majestic 'Risen Christ' and Stephan Balkenhol's 'Grosser Mann' (Large Man), carved from a single tree trunk, to a thumb by César Baldaccini and a touching bronze head of a baby by Epstein.
Star names include Pisanello, the inventor of the Renaissance medal, Albrecht Dürer, Canova and Rodin.
It is tempting to dwell on every piece, but space permits for only three special Scottish mentions. Here is exquisite Jean Muir, fashion designer, she of the 'little black dress', portrayed in her characteristic 'calm in a psychedelic storm', by Glenys Barton in 1991.
There is Gerald Laing's 'Galina 3', one of a series of head sculptures of his wife, a deft, delicate swerve in bronze – light years distant in style from Laing's much-loved traditional statue of Sherlock Holmes in Picardy Place.
And before us also is Norman McCaig, a bravura delineation in bronze by Alan Main, made shortly after the poet's death in 'organic form suggesting his head as either emerging from, or returning to primary matter', returning perhaps to his beloved Assynt of the winds and the high places.
But this is a veritable corucopia of delights to be relished throughout the summer, and on into the mellow mists and the arms of Jack Frost.
Head to Head continues at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery (1 Queen Street) until 10 January 2016. Admission free.
[A shorter version of this review appeared in July's printed Issue 242.]
Image credits
Centre: Emilio GRECO (1913–1995), 'Anna', dated 1954, Sculpture, bronze, 63.5 x 26.5 x 31 cm, Collection: National Galleries of Scotland, bequeathed by Miss Elizabeth Watt 1989, Photo: John McKenzie, © ESTATE OF E GRECO
Bottom: Frederick Edward MCWILLIAM (1909–1992), 'Kneeling Woman', 1947, Sculpture, cast stone, 146 x 54 x 55 cm, Collection: National Galleries of Scotland, purchased 2001, Photo: Antonia Reeve, © ESTATE OF F E MCWILLIAM.