‘The arduous and responsible duty of arranging, classifying, and hanging…’: William Borthwick Johnstone and the nascent Scottish National Gallery

Abstract

This paper explores the work carried out by the Scottish National Gallery’s first Keeper and Principal Curator, William Borthwick Johnstone, in laying the foundations for a new national art institution in Scotland. It considers his role in launching and establishing the Scottish National Gallery as a place of cultural importance. Examining the approach adopted by Johnstone to prepare the Gallery for opening, his reflections on how best to display the disparate works that formed the inaugural collection, and his endeavours to produce a catalogue, it assesses the impact he had on the evolving institution. Johnstone’s career provides an informative case-study of mid-Victorian values and priorities in the emerging public art gallery.

Keywords

• William Borthwick Johnstone
• Scottish National Gallery
• professional curator
• national art institution
• gallery catalogue
• display strategies