The Art of Italy in the Royal Collection: The Renaissance (pictured above)
This highly acclaimed exhibition of 16th and 17th century Italian art presents 32 paintings and 42 drawings from the period of the Italian Renaissance, including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael and Bellini and Titian. Until October 26. The Queen's Gallery, The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Horse Wynd, daily 9.30am-6pm, £5, (family £13), 0131-556 5100
John Murray Archive
The new, permanent £30 million archive holds 150,000 letters and manuscripts by the likes of Darwin, Byron, David Livingstone and Sir Walter Scott, representing a Who's Who of men and women writing in the fields of literature, science, politics, travel and exploration during the period 1768-1920. National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 2-5pm, free, 0131-623 3845
Miroslav Balka – Entering Paradise
This display brings together the artist's print portfolio Entering Paradise, presenting the traces of 12 anonymous men, with the contemplative video projection BlueGasEyes. Until June 29. Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Belford Road, daily 10am-5pm (7pm Thurs), free, 0131-624 6200
From Sickert To Gertler - Modern British Art From Boxted House
This exhibition celebrates the lives of Bobby and Natalie Bevan and the works that hung on the walls of their home, Boxted House in Essex which became a gathering place for artists after the Second World War. Until June 22. Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Belford Road, daily 10am-5pm (7pm Thurs), free, 0131-624 6200
Maternity – Images Of Motherhood
This exhibition explores the theme of motherhood in art, showing how the image of the mother and child has endured and been re-interpreted by artists over the past 500 years. Until June 22. Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Belford Road, daily 10am-5pm (7pm Thurs), free, 0131-624 6200
Freee – How To Be Hospitable
Freee will conduct workshops with local Polish immigrants, produce slogans, make videos that document their opinions and put on an exhibition of all these elements in the gallery. Until May 17. Collective Gallery, 22-28 Cockburn Street, Tues-Sat 12-5pm, free, 0131- 220 1260
In A Different Light
Glimpses of the fleeting; language distilled to its essence; perception given breath on paper. Julie Johnstone creates minimal yet resonant works exploring the visual and linguistic nuances contained in short phrases. Until July 19. Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton's Close, Canongate, Mon-Sat 12-6pm (5pm Sat), free, 0131-557 2876, www.spl.org.uk
Faces and Places
Exhibition which highlights individuals who have contributed to Scotland's built heritage. Items are on display include paintings, sculpture, drawings, photos, notebooks and instruments. Until July 20. Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street, daily 10am-5pm (7pm Thurs), free, 0131-624 6200
Fantasy and Function: Design For Goldsmiths
This display, from the department of prints and drawings, features around 30 intricately engraved designs for jewellery, tableware and ornaments. Until August 3. National Gallery of Scotland, The Mound, daily 10am-5pm (7pm Thurs), free, 0131-624 6200
Sheila Mullen
Based on Scottish ballad and Scotland's rich cultural heritage, these vivid oil paintings capture the emotion, movement and power of oral traditions. Until June 7. Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street,daily 10am-6pm (Sun 12-6pm), free, 0131-556 2647
John Hutton Balfour: Bicentenary Exhibition and Louise Bourgeois - Nature Study
Celebrating one of the Garden's most significant Regius Keepers - responsible for the building of the Temperate Palm House and the acquisition of Inverleith House, this exhibition portrays an extraordinary life devoted to botany and its teaching. Louise Bourgeois: The French-born American artist (b. 1911) exhibits new works on paper and assemblages selected by her for Inverleith House, where they are being shown for the first time. Until July 6. Inverleith House, Royal Botanic Garden, Arboretum Place, Tue-Sun 10am-3.30pm, free, 0131-248 2943
500 Years Of Printing
An exhibition, in the RBGE Library Foyer, displaying horticultural and natural history books printed in Scotland to celebrate 500 years of printing in Scotland. Until June 30. Royal Botanic Garden, Arboretum Place, daily 10am-7pm, free, 0131-248 2943
RSA Annual Exhibition
The RSA Annual Exhibition is a highlight of the exhibiting year for artists, architects and members of the public. This year the exhibition also includes a specially curated show called New Scots/New Scotland. Until June 25. Royal Scottish Academy Building, The Mound, Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm, £4 (conc £2), 0131-225 6671
Heroes – 19th Century Self-Help Role Models
Central to this display is Samuel Smiles' 1859 work, Self-Help. The display presents the people who were promoted by Smiles as contemporary role models and critically re-examines what we mean by 'Victorian values'. Until November 15. Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1, Queen Street, daily 10am-5pm (7pm Thu), free, 0131-624 6200
Dialogues Of Wind And Bamboo
A soundscape made largely from bamboo, exploring how nature creates music with plants. Simple constructions invite visitors to experience a non conventional way of listening to music depending on the wind, the day and their own moods. Until June 29. Royal Botanic Garden, Arboretum Place, daily 10am-7pm, free, 0131-248 2943
Extremes – Life In Subarctic Canada
The Tlicho people live in harmony with a remote and hostile environment that boasts some of the most extreme temperature changes on earth. This exhibition highlights their traditional skills and relationship with Scotland. Until October 19. National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, daily 10am-5pm, free, 0131-225 7534
FROM SATURDAY
Lucy Skaer
A young Glasgow-based artist best known for large works on paper that combine imagery drawn from different sources in intricate, highly-wrought and often disturbingly beautiful drawings. This exhibition features new work commissioned for the Gallery. Until July 13. Fruitmarket Gallery, Market Street, Mon-Sat 11am-6pm, Sun 12-5pm, free, 0131-225 2383
Matthew Storstein
An artist-led exhibition space with regular temporary exhibitions of contemporary art. Contributing artists are predominantly young, emerging artists, living and working in Scotland. Until May 28. Patriothall Gallery, 1d Patriothall, off Hamilton Place, daily 12-5pm, free, 0131-226 7126
Your comprehensive daily guide to what's on in Edinburgh
• What's on - Friday May 16
• What's on - Saturday May 17
• What's on - Sunday May 18
• What's on - Monday May 19
• What's on - Tuesday May 20
• What's on - Wednesday May 21
• What's on - Thursday May 22
• Exhibitions
• Cinema listings
The full article contains 1087 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
