Paintings back on show after conservation

Published on Thursday 26 March 2009 08:58

TWO paintings dating from the nineteenth century are back on display in Leith after essential conservation work.

One, dating from around 1885 and by an unknown artist, shows a Glasgow ship called the Loch Broom in full sail.

The vessel was still in service as late as 1917, by which time it was in Scandinavian hands and renamed the Songdal, when it was sunk by a German submarine.

The other painting, which dates from 1891, is by Bernard Benedict Hemy (1855-1913) and shows a steam tug towing a sailing ship.

The paintings are on view at the Trinity House maritime museum in Leith.

Historic Scotland conservator Ailsa Murray said: "This is a lovely project to work on. The paintings at Trinity House give a real insight into the history of Leith and its role as a great sea port."

The operation is part of a long-term project to conserve around 175 paintings which were transferred to the care of HS by the Incorporation of Mariners and Ship's Masters in 2005.

The incorporation, which was founded in 1380, had the mansion in Kirkgate built in 1816 and many of the paintings it contains were commissioned or donated by members.