When Peter Howson was asked by Edinburgh’s City Art Centre to consider tackling a painting on the theme of Saint Andrew, his response was to embark on a personal journey of discovery which has combined literary research with a trip to Israel to see the environment that the disciple would have lived in.

The result, displayed for the first time, is a stunning body of work in a variety of media.

With this exhibition the eminent Scottish artist has been allowed to resume his focus on the religious themes that have inspired his recent series of works, including the powerful biblical images of The Stations of the Cross.

The works on display emphasise the artist’s talent at expressing emotions of sorrow and anguish while simultaneously celebrating the strength of the human spirit and spiritual power.

Over the decades, Howson’s work has caught the imagination of the public and media alike and his paintings are bought by the world's leading galleries and collected by a notable list of private clients, including Jack Nicholson, Sir Bob Geldof and David Bowie.

With the ongoing debate about how St Andrew’s day should be celebrated, this is a timely and powerful response by one of Scotland’s leading contemporary artists.

The exhibition opened, fittingly, on St Andrew’s Day and will continue until March 2007.