Henri Martin’s (1860-1943) mesmerising painting ‘Berenice’ (1885) is set to go on display in the north-east for the first time.
From tomorrow, Thursday, 29th August, visitors will be able to view the painting at Duff House, near Banff. The French artist’s captivating work was inspired by a short story, Berenice, by the American author Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) and was probably modelled by his wife, the artist Marie-Charlotte Barbaroux. First published in 1835, the gruesome tale tells the story of Egaeus who falls in love with his beautiful cousin Berenice. She suffers from a mysterious debilitating illness, causing her to fall into a trance-like state. As Berenice’s health deteriorates, Egaeus develops intense obsessions, focusing latterly on her teeth. The girl eventually dies and Egaeus is grief-stricken. He visits her grave, as if in a dream, and later discovers her extracted teeth in a box beside him.
Graeme Curran, Collections Manager for Duff House at Historic Environment Scotland, said:
We always look forward to welcoming the new loan from NGS each year, and it’s thrilling to be able to unveil such a mesmerising and unique work of art.
“We look forward to welcoming visitors to experience not just this fantastic artwork, but to explore the fascinating setting of Duff House and discover more about this beautiful Georgian mansion.”
Aidan Weston-Lewis, Chief Curator at the National Galleries of Scotland, said: ‘This striking painting is a recent acquisition, and it is quite unlike anything else in the collection. With its spooky background story, it has proved very popular with visitors to the National in Edinburgh. We are delighted to be sharing it now with audiences in the north-east of Scotland and look forward to hearing their reactions.”
‘Berenice’ by Henri Martin will be on open to view at Duff House on selected dates from Thursday 29 August 2024 to Sunday 24 August 2025. The artwork is the latest in a series of paintings to be loaned from the collection of the National Galleries of Scotland. Entry to view the painting is included in the admission price of the guided tour of Duff House. Booking in advance is recommended to guarantee entry.
About ‘Berenice’ (1885) by Henri Martin
The painting was purchased by the National Galleries of Scotland with a contribution from the Heinz Fund and Art Fund support in 2021.
More information on the artwork and artist can be found on the National Galleries of Scotland website.
About the National Galleries of Scotland
We are the National Galleries of Scotland and our three Edinburgh galleries are the National, Modern and Portrait. We house and look after Scotland’s amazing world-class art collection. Step inside and explore treasures from Vermeer, Botticelli and Titian to the very best modern art to contemporary portraits of pop culture icons. And, as you’d expect, the world’s greatest collection of Scottish art. We’re a space for thinking, dreaming, doing and playing. Soak up the art. Meet friends in the cafés. Have a family picnic surrounded by the sculptures in the Modern grounds. Be inspired by our amazing art films. Choose your own experience. There is no one way to enjoy Scotland’s national collection. We are yours to discover.
About Duff House
Duff House is a triumph of baroque architecture and one of the most important buildings in the north of Scotland. It was designed in 1735 by the renowned Scottish architect William Adam and is now a five-star visitor attraction, run in partnership by Historic Environment Scotland, the National Galleries of Scotland and Aberdeenshire Council.
About Historic Environment Scotland (HES)
- We are the lead body for Scotland’s historic environment, a charity dedicated to the advancement of heritage, culture, education and environmental protection. It is at the forefront of researching and understanding the historic environment and addressing the impacts of climate change on its future, investigating and recording architectural and archaeological sites and landscapes across Scotland and caring for more than 300 properties of national importance. We are also the lead on delivering Scotland's strategy for the historic environment, Our Past, Our Future.
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For further information, please contact:
Laura Ely
Historic Environment Scotland Media Office
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