It is not often that an 18th century Dutch masterpiece turns up in a cafe in Perth but that is what happened on Friday.
A floral oil painting by Jan van Huysum painted in 1736 is the centre of attention in the Walled Garden, a peaceful spot in the grounds of Murray Royal Hospital.
Normally the Walled Garden hosts plant sales, coffee and art classes to improve mental wellbeing.
Staff and visitors got an inspiring eyeful when ‘Flowers in a Terracotta Vase’ made a first appearance on July 30.
It will remain on view until Sunday and people will be encouraged to paint their own floral masterpiece at an event there on August 7.
The National Gallery has sent this spectacular picture on tour of the UK and in a scheme to bring art to the most unexpected and accessible of venues.
It worked with Culture Perth and Kinross and Perth and Kinross Association of Voluntary Service (PKAVS) to bring it to Perth.
The Fair City is the only Scottish venue on the tour.
Jan van Huysum (1682–1749) was a native of Amsterdam and the last of the distinguished still-life painters active in the Northern Netherlands in the 17th and early 18th centuries.
The tour promotes ways in which art and culture can support wellbeing and reach audiences who have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 and lockdown.
The Walled Garden Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub is a tranquil haven for people recovering from mental illness and members of the public alike and has a café, art studio and shop on-site.
The location was selected to encourage people to explore their local community and link art with their surroundings, offering a much-needed reprieve from the challenges of living life during a global pandemic.
As part of the project, artist Frances Law has been using the Walled Garden as an inspiration for groups to produce sketches and acrylic paintings, with each group then selecting a colour most prominent in their own artwork and which made them feel happy, reflecting positivity and the journey to recovery to mental wellbeing.
The colours selected included yellow for optimism and wellbeing, red for vitality and strength, blue for wisdom and steadiness, green for security and balance, and purple for creativity.
The colours were then sent to Blairgowrie -based weaver Ashleigh Slater, to be woven at his studio Breacan Caledonia into a tartan - ‘Pride of Wellbeing’ - to celebrate the project.
The tartan has been registered with the Scottish Register of Tartans, and will be added to their database of tartan designs.
The project also offers an opportunity to create your very own flowers in a vase drawing.
On August 7, ‘The Edinburgh Sketcher’ will be delivering free sketching workshops within the Walled Garden whilst the painting is on display. Spaces for this event are limited and are bookable through the Culture Perth and Kinross website.
JP Reid, senior programming and interpretation officer at Culture Perth and Kinross, said “We are thrilled to have been able to work with colleagues from PKAVS and the National Gallery to bring this wonderful painting to Perth.
“The Walled Garden is one of Perth and Kinross ’s treasures – a truly inspiring place.
“Flowers in a Terracotta Vase is a dazzling work of artistic mastery. We hope that by displaying the painting amongst the flowers and plants of the walled garden, we can create an opportunity for people to be inspired and uplifted by art and nature.”
Caitlin Sweeney, activity engagement worker for Creative Wellbeing at PKAVS Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub, said: “This is a real honour for our service.
“As a mental health and wellbeing service, we embrace any partnerships which will support our client’s recovery journey.”
Public viewing is welcomed at the Walled Garden from now until August 8, between 10am - 3pm every day.
