Perth will be the first stop for a major new summer exhibition of famed works from the National Gallery in London.
The Fair City will also be the only location in Scotland to play host.
And Helen Smout, chief executive of Culture Perth and Kinross, reckons getting the nod from organisers shows off the region’s prominence as a hub for arts, culture, creativity and tourism.
The new exhibition, Sin, brings together masterpieces from the 16th century to the present day, exploring the concept of sin through visual art.
Visitors to Perth Museum and Art Gallery will have the chance to get up close and personal with works by Rembrandt, Lucas Cranach the Elder, Jan Steen, Jan Gossaert, Tracey Emin, Ron Mueck and more.
Ms Smout said: “We are delighted to have been selected as the first stop on this National Gallery exhibition tour.
“The fact that Perth was chosen as the only location in Scotland to host this display of masterpieces demonstrates that our city and the wider region are rightly being recognised as a hub for arts, culture, creativity, and tourism.
“We hope this exhibition and our programme of events will intrigue both locals and visitors, and inspire people from all walks of life to have fun, debate, and simply enjoy some fabulous works of art.”
The masterworks will sit alongside treasures from Perth Museum and Art Gallery’s own collections that reflect various aspects of sin, such as works by JD Fergusson and Giovanni Antonio Galli, and many curious items that may surprise visitors with their connection to the theme.
Through great works of art and intriguing historical objects, the exhibition will explore changing ideas about sin and morality throughout history, inviting visitors to reflect on their own ideas about sin and society today, and how attitudes have changed (or not) towards alcohol, sexuality, crime, and more.
The museum will also host a programme of dedicated events, talks, and workshops, inviting people to explore the themes of the exhibition in playful and intriguing ways.
Perth is the first stop - and the only stop in Scotland - on this exclusive travelling exhibition, which will tour only four venues across the UK.
Sin is open from June 18 to September 25 at Perth Museum and Art Gallery. Donations are welcome.
