MONARCH OF THE GLEN: EDWIN LANDSEER (NAT GALLERIES SCOTLAND)

Acquired by the National Galleries of Scotland in 2017, The Monarch of the Glen by Sir Edwin Landseer is one of the most celebrated paintings of the nineteenth century. In this book Christopher Baker explores the complex and fascinating history of the iconic picture showing that when so much Victorian art fell out of fashion, Landseer's Monarch took on a new role as marketing image, bringing it global recognition. He reveals how it also inspired the work of many other artists, from Sir Bernard Partridge and Ronald Searle to Sir Peter Blake and Peter Saville and discusses the intriguing status that the picture has today, being seen by some as a splendid celebration of Scotland's natural wonders and by others as an archaic trophy.