Painting: Arthur Conan Doyle

Each painting is accompanied by comments from the artist on how he worked to create the compositions and on the material he found in the archive.

“Capturing the detail of a glistening yet broken wax seal, a scrawled literary manuscript, intimate leter or precise and elegant ledger not only evokes the pathos of age, but also some aspects of the lives of the people who created the documents, be they a great novelist, intrepid traveller or publisher’s clerk,” said Hugh.

The John Murray Archive is one of the world’s greatest literary and publishing collections.

“While the archive can provide an unparalleled store of information and insight into the lives, personalities and writings of authors and their readers, there is another oſten overlooked aspect of these archives; their beauty and interest as objects,” said David McClay, the curator of the John Murray Archive.

“With the exhibition of Hugh’s watercolours alongside some of the original manuscripts and books from the collection people have a unique opportunity to see some remarkable literary treasures examined through the special creative and artistic talents of Hugh Buchanan. Lovers of

Painting: Walter Scot

these authors, art and archive enthusiasts will, I’m sure, all be equally fascinated and thrilled with the exhibition.”

Each painting is accompanied by comments from the artist on how he worked to create the compositions and on the material he found in the archive.

Hugh Buchanan paints the John Murray Archive: Austen, Byron, Conan Doyle, Etc..... is on at the National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh until Sunday September 6.

Aſterwards the exhibition will transfer to the prestigious John Martin Gallery, 38 Albemarle Street, London, only yards from John Murray’s office – the very place where Scot and Byron first met.

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