Discover the beautiful work of Blackadder as part of the ongoing blog series by our Collection Technician Apprentice, Mina Brennan.
Image: ‘Three Cats’ by Elizabeth Blackadder
Dame Elizabeth Blackadder’s career as an artist began when she graduated from Edinburgh College of Art in 1954. From there she would go on to become one of Scotland’s most known artists. After graduating Blackadder won a travelling scholarship and used it to visit Greece, Italy and what was formally known as Yugoslavia. Later in her career Blackadder would also visit Japan and become influenced by what she saw there. Notable motifs throughout Blackadder’s work include cats and flowers. She says of these subjects, “cats and flowers are dangerous, they can be too pretty”.
Her interest in flowers began when she was sent to live with her grandmother during the war, she found herself gardening for all her grandmother’s friends and started collecting flowers and drawing them, something she did throughout her career.
Blackadder didn’t like to set up or stage a still life, instead the still life changed and morphed as the piece was painted. This gives her still life paintings a slightly surreal feeling as she pieces together different things she’s seen or noticed over time.
Blackadder was invited by Glasgow Print Studio to work with them and Master Printer Stuart Duffy in 1985. ‘Three Cats’ was printed in 1992. The technique and mark making used to print the piece gives it a fluidity and movement, something often seen in Blackadder’s work. Another etching we have in our collection by Blackadder from the same year titled ‘Fred and Rosie’ is much stiller in comparison.
Image: ‘Fred and Rosie’ by Elizabeth Blackadder
Blackadder’s work is an exercise on looking, remembering and documenting the things around us. Still lives of oranges, cats, plants and everything in-between almost like a collage of things Blackadder has seen and appreciated.
Caring for the Collection is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland.
Thanks to National Lottery players, we will be able to dedicate time to improve the condition of our artworks currently in our store, so that they will be able to be displayed in health and social care settings across Scotland.
Museum & Galleries Technician Modern Apprenticeship is supported by Museums Galleries Scotland provider of the apprenticeship, mentor and SCQF level 7
18 March 2026 by
Amy Miles