Exhibitions: What's on

• WHAT'S WORTH VISITING THIS WEEK?

The Art of Italy in the Royal Collection: The Renaissance (pictured)
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 Exhibition
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

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

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

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

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

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

Paul Rooney - Lost High Street
Four minute single screen video projection in which a tourist can be heard speaking as he is filming his tour-bus ride around the city of Edinburgh, commenting on what he sees and on what the tour guide is telling him. Until July 12. Collective Gallery, Cockburn Street, Tues-Sat 12-5pm, free, 0131-220 1260

Recognised: Highlights from From The Collection
A leading exhibition space with six galleries, housing Edinburgh's Scottish Art collection. Until December 31. City Art Centre, 2 Market Street, Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm, free, 0131-529 3993

Foto: Modernity in Central Europe 1918-1945
Featuring well over 100 photographs, this exhibition explores the rich and varied work of pioneering European artists working in the new and exciting medium of photography. Until August 31. Dean Gallery, Belford Road, daily 10am-5pm (Tu 7pm), £6, 0131-624 6200 Art

Competition For Schools 2008
The Art Competition for Schools exhibition features the 53 winning works from nursery, primary, secondary and special education schools all over Scotland. Until October 28. National Gallery of Scotland, The Mound, daily 10am-5pm (7pm Thur), free, 0131-624 6200

The Royal Mile: A Hidden History
A stunning collection of photographs from Edinburgh City Library's Capital Collections reveals the hidden story of Edinburgh's Royal Mile. Until July 19. Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street, Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 12-6pm, free, 0131-556 2647

The Secret Life Of Lichens
An intriguing insight into the secret life of lichens. Play 'lichudo', take a closer look through microscopes and discover the many uses of lichens in your daily life. Until July 20. Royal Botanic Garden, 20a Inverleith Row, daily 10am-7pm, free, 0131-552 7171

Vanity Fair Portraits: Photographs 1913 - 2008
Remarkable and memorable photographic portraits from Vanity Fair magazine. Vintage works from Vanity Fair's classic period (1913 - 36) are displayed alongside stunning photographs featured in the current-day magazine. Untyil September 21. Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street, daily 10am-5pm (Thur 7pm), £6, 0131-624 6200

Drawn From Life
Exhibition of works by the Life Drawing Group. Until July 6. Patriothall Gallery, 1d Patriothall, off Hamilton Place, daily 12-5pm, free, 0131-226 7126

Gill Foster - Mixed Media
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 July 23. Patriothall Gallery 1d Patriothall, off Hamilton Place, daily 12-5pm, free, 0131-226 7126

FROM SATURDAY

Bond Bound- Ian Fleming and the Art of Cover Design
An intriguing exhibition on the book art of the world's most popular spy, Bond, James Bond. Charting the role of artists and designers in creating and defining the Bond look, the exhibition features book covers,film posters, letters and previously unseen archive material. Stretching back more than half a century, the covers provide revealing snapshots of shifting attitudes to sex, feminism and the changing international climate. Until September 14. City Art Centre, 2 Market Street, Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm, £5, 0131-529 3993

China: A Photographic Portrait
Documenting the changing face of China over 50 years, this show offers an unparalleled look at changing life in China as viewed through the lenses of 250 Chinese photographers between 1951 and 2003. They record in detail the daily lives of the Chinese people, of all ages and from diverse backgrounds, at work, rest and play. A collection of 33 short films provide a further insight into the cultural and social life of a country which is home to a fifth of the world's population. Until September 14. City Art Centre, 2 Market Street, Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm, free, 0131-529 3993

Your comprehensive daily guide to what's on in Edinburgh

• What's on - Friday July 4
• What's on - Saturday July 5
• What's on - Sunday July 6
• What's on - Monday July 7
• What's on - Tuesday July 8
• What's on - Wednesday July 9
• What's on - Thursday July 10


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