Christopher Baker Announced as New Director of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery

The Director General of the Scottish National Gallery announced the appointment of Christopher Baker as the new director of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh. He will take up his duties at the Portrait Gallery on August 1, 2012. This choice was made through an international search with the assistance of the recruiting company Odgers Berndtson.

Mr. Baker has been Deputy Director of the Scottish National Gallery since 2003 and previously was a curator at Christ Church Art Gallery in Oxford. He has an international reputation as a scholarly caretaker and has organized some of the most successful exhibitions of Scottish national painting abroad. He created the permanent collection catalog of the gallery of English drawing and watercolors 1600-1900 in 2011.

Baker is often present at advisory boards at the University of St Andrews and at the National Gallery in London, and has contributed to numerous historical fiction publications. John Leighton, Director General of the National Gallery of Scotland said: “Many candidates, including those from abroad, were considered for this vacancy. Christopher Baker has very impressive accomplishments as a curator and manager who has combined scientific depth with wide popularity in his work for the gallery. ”

Ben Thompson, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of NGS, said: “It is very difficult to work after James Holloway, who turned the portrait gallery into one of Scotland’s most beloved cultural institutions. The Council is confident that Christopher will be the new inspirational leader for the gallery, whose desire to be at the center of Scotland’s heritage.

In his current position, Mr. Baker has worked with NGS colleagues on many aspects of managing the National Gallery.

bp