Blackadder has travelled widely throughout her career, with new sights and foreign cultures providing much inspiration. In the 1980s a series of visits to Japan made an indelible impression on her imagination which resulted in a burst of creativity that embraced new techniques and imagery.  A room in the exhibition is dedicated to her exploration of the country’s unique customs, objects and design and will include works such as the outstanding Self-Portrait with Red Lacquer Table of 1988.  The display includes the artist’s Japanese-inspired prints, which combine materials such as gold leaf with more conventional printing methods to create exquisite and precious works.

The exhibition concludes with recent and new painting, drawing and printmaking by an artist who continues to work tirelessly. Endlessly inspired by the world around her, she brings the same energy to her art now as she did at the outset of what has become a long and pre-eminent career.

John Leighton, Director-General of the National Galleries of Scotland said:  ‘Elizabeth Blackadder is, quite simply, one of Scotland’s greatest painters. She has revitalized long-established traditions of landscape, still life and flower painting in this country; she could be described as one of our finest painters in watercolour or equally lauded for her work as a printmaker.  At once profoundly Scottish and enticingly exotic, her art is both familiar and mysterious. This major exhibition is both a celebration of her work and an invitation to look again at the achievement of an artist who could be described as a “national treasure”’

The exhibition continues until 2 January 2012.

While you're on the site, take a look at the Gallery's shop: A Blackadder tulip candle, a small Degas decorative plate (Before the Performance), a Phoebe Anna Traquair silk scarf of swallows, The Honourable Mrs. Graham's garnet earrings: inspired by the jewellery worn by Mrs Graham in Thomas Gainsborough's remarkable portrait and is part of an exclusive suite designed for the National Galleries of Scotland by Paula Bolton. They feature square-cut garnets on sterling silver posts.

And don't overlook the Rev Walker's scarf in blue, grey or red: Reverend Robert Walker (1755 - 1808) Skating on Duddingston Loch , Sir Henry Raeburn

Paintings:
Elizabeth Blackadder, Tulips © The Artist, Private Collection

Self-portrait with Red Laquer Table, 1988, Oil on canvas

Chinese Still Life with Arum Lillies, 1982, Oil on canvas

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