The Scottish National Gallery is one of the quieter places in Edinburgh at the moment. Despite the raucous goings-on outside, it is a peaceful sanctuary with an opportunity to witness something never seen in Scotland before: Carel Fabritius’s The Goldfinch.
You have until 18 December to catch a glimpse of The Goldfinch (1654). It may take you until then to make it through the congested Christmas markets, but it’s a trip well worth taking.
The Goldfinch won’t get you in the Christmas spirit but it may just get you thinking. It’s a figure of loneliness. A sad chained-up bird, barely able to stretch its wings.
Fabritius (1622–54) painted it in the year he died, which creates a sad connection between the artist and subject.
There is plenty to admire about this painting and it's all in the rich detail. From the colour of the bird to the way the artist creates a lifelike depiction of his subject. I couldn’t help thinking that the bird was looking right at me, trying to tell me something.
This is a world-renowned painting, seen by thousands, and yet it is actually small in size. Surrounded by the Gallery’s high ceilings and tall canvases, it draws people in from the other side of the room. Everyone is keen to catch a glimpse of the bird.
The Goldfinch truly is a stunning and mesmerising painting, so make the time to see it up close before it flies away.—Rhys Fullerton
Carel Fabritius’s The Goldfinch is at the Scottish National Gallery (The Mound) until 18 December. Admission free.
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@theSpurtle Be warned, small painting roped off, many necks craning to see. #gloriousart #busybusy
@theSpurtle Oh, great tip. I hadn't heard it was on display, thanks!
@LillyLyle @theSpurtle it is lovely, but the lighting is subdued and you are not close, so buy the postcard to get a right good look
@theSpurtle So I went to see the Goldfinch & discovered that the rope put it at a distance between the "far" & the "near" of my bifocals :-(
Broughton Spurtle @theSpurtle
@LillyLyle Quite. Went Saturday. Love concept of work, not dingy beige reality as displayed. Better at: http://www.broughtonspurtle.org.uk/news/small-gold-standard …
@tallmanbaby @theSpurtle Though I couldn't see the painting as well as I'd have liked, the info on the back was very good. (1)
@tallmanbaby @theSpurtle I'd never noticed that the perspective on the two perch-bars didn't match up & prob never would've!