In partnership with Edinburgh College of Art, InterContinental Edinburgh The George proudly unveils a commissioned artwork celebrating Susan Ferrier on the bicentenary of her novel The Inheritance. The winning piece by Ella Williams, titled Studies from Ferrier’s The Inheritance, will be permanently displayed in our new Ferrier Suite.
Chosen for its creativity and depth, Williams’ artwork captures key scenes and themes from Ferrier’s novel, highlighting her critique of the marriage market and societal expectations in 1824. The paintings also reference Ferrier’s connection to Edinburgh and our townhouse, where she once lived.
Williams aimed to illustrate the novel’s protagonist, Gertrude St. Clair, and her journey through symbolism, showcasing a strong female character navigating societal constraints in the early 1800s. She was particularly intrigued by Ferrier’s use of the romance genre as a subversive tool to comment on the position of women. The paintings include symbolic elements such as the clasping of hands and romantic imagery like roses, framing the subjects in a way that leaves their faces unseen to encourage viewers’ imagination.
Williams explained: “Several of the paintings illustrate key settings within the novel, while others represent Gertrude’s journey of self-discovery in pursuit of a suitor that is her equal, symbolised by the clasping of hands and elements of romantic imagery such as roses.”
Williams continued: “I sought to nod to Ferrier’s residency in the building portraying elements of the hotel that would be recognisable to guests such as Ferrier looking out the window of the suite and a tea set that matches those available to guests.
Williams expressed her delight in winning and seeing her work displayed in our hotel. Jonathan Dawson, our General Manager, praised her artwork for ‘honouring Ferrier’s literary achievements and enriching our already rich cultural heritage’.
We are excited to showcase Studies from Ferrier’s The Inheritance within our hotel. This collaboration with Edinburgh College of Art has been rewarding, and we look forward to our guests being inspired by Ella’s work. The piece will be displayed in the Club InterContinental lounge over the summer before its permanent installation in the Ferrier Suite.