EDINBURGH.- A new exhibition at Dovecot Studios ‘Monarchs of the Glen’, opening on the 14th of October 2023, explores how one of the most celebrated images of Victorian Scotland has been constantly reinvented for over a hundred and seventy years and continues to inspire contemporary artists to this day.

Sir Edwin Landseer’s (1802–1873) most famous work ‘The Monarch of the Glen’ (1851), a painting of a majestic twelve-point stag, was one of the most iconic depictions of Scotland in its time and has continually been adapted for use in the worlds of commerce, culture and even politics. The exhibition celebrates the many ways this classic image of Highland spirit has been inspirational in a diverse range of products and popular culture from bevvy to Bambi, shortbread to Schitt’s Creek and beyond.

To commemorate the 150th anniversary of Landseer’s death, Dovecot’s world-renowned tapestry studio in Edinburgh will explore images derived from this romantic image of the Highlands with the studio’s own interpretation ‘After, After, After Monarch of the Glen’ as the centerpiece of the exhibition.

The display is presented in four sections. Firstly ‘Landseer and the Monarch’ introduces the life and career of the Victorian artist and how reproducing the Monarch image was always a key to its story. Visitors will learn about how the painting was initially commissioned and its journey through private collections, before being secured for public ownership in 2017.

The second section, ‘The Monarch’s Many Lives’, explores how popular recognition of the painting has inspired continuous commercial and artistic reinventions as well as its use in film and television. These include the works of Compton Mackenzie, Ronald Searle, John McGrath, Ross Sinclair and Julian Calder.

Dovecot’s post-modern tapestry is the focus of the third section. ‘After, After, After Monarch of the Glen’, Commissioned in 2012 in collaboration with art director and graphic designer Peter Saville, and Paul Stolper Gallery, the tapestry is Dovecot’s representation of the iconic painting. This section considers how Landseer’s work ultimately inspired the Dovecot tapestry, using Peter Saville’s evocative print of 2002.

The final section highlights more recent attitudes to the rural landscape in Scotland, and the complex and evolving perception of deer like the Monarch, which is far removed from Landseer’s romantic vision.

“It’s fantastic to be able to showcase this iconic exhibition” says Dovecot director, Celia Joicey. “We are delighted to have the tapestry ‘After, After, After Monarch of the Glen’ on show for the first time since 2016 highlighting Scotland’s commitment to traditional skills and craft – and who knows, this exhibition may inspire the next contribution to the long list of ‘The Monarch of the Glen’ reproductions.”

“This exhibition gives visitors the chance to explore the complicated and fascinating history of this marketing marvel and contested symbol of Scotland” says curator, Christopher Baker, “Having an exhibition dedicated to one of the most celebrated paintings of the 19th century and its enduring influence is a wonderful way to celebrate Landseer’s mark on popular culture.”