No cultural city break to Glasgow is complete without a visit to the fabulous Burrell Collection. This striking purpose-built museum opened in 1983.
The first year saw one million visitors through the doors and the opening helped launch the rebirth of the arts in Glasgow, a wonderful contrast to the previous decades of post-industrial decline.
This incredible collection comprises in the region of nine thousand exhibits, all of which were gifted to the city by William Burrell (1861-1958).
Burrell had very specific wishes regarding the housing of his collection and stipulated that in order for the collection to be fully appreciated visitors had to view it within a countryside setting. Finally, in 1983, after many years of searching for a the right location, the award-winning museum opened in Pollok Country Park to much critical and public acclaim. Situated in three hundred and sixty one acres of wooded parkland and gardens the site also boasts a herd of Highland Cattle!
Following a £68.25 million refurbishment, the museum reopened in 2017 after a closure of six years.
Glasgow shipping magnate Sir William Burrell (1861-1958) spent his childhood in Glasgow. His love for art became apparent when at aged fifteen he invested in his first acquisition, a painting, bought with money that had been given to him, ear-marked for the purchase of a cricket bat. This was to become the beginning of his love of art and antiques. After joining his father and brother in the family business he made some shrewd investments which then enabled him to carry on learning, researching and purchasing art for the rest of his life.
This remarkable collection is formed of an eclectic array of art and antiques, (including more than twenty works by Degas), Highlights include ‘The Thinker’ by Auguste Rodin, 12th century arms and armour, medieval works of art, a number of the world’s most important tapestries and a renowned collection of Chinese art.
By 1900 William Burrell was well respected collector who had built up his extensive knowledge and he was generous with loaning out items for exhibitions from his collection.
1901 saw the Glasgow International Exhibition, in Kelvingrove Park. Running from May until November of that year, displays included sculptures of soap, an Indian theatre and various works of art, one hundred and sixty of which were loaned by William Burrell.
Sir William was a strong believer in free education for everyone and he believed that the people of the city should have access to his remarkable collection. In 1944, he and his wife Constance generously gifted the Collection to the City of Glasgow.
I was fortunate enough to have been involved in a study day behind the scenes of The Burrell back in 1997. The warren-like basement holds a large percentage of the collection’s objects. Handling the beautifully catalogued and meticulously stored objets d’art, it felt like a day in Aladdin’s Cave and was an experience I will never forget.
Fiona’s pick of The Burrell
If I was to choose one item from the thousands on display it would have to be the mesmerising Greek cast Bronze of a young man, found at Thessaly and dating from 100BC – 100 AD.
Easily accessible by car and local train The Burrell Collection also boasts a light and airy café with park views, and a well-stocked shop making it perfect for a full day out.
“The Burrell Collection is one of Europe’s most beautiful museums…There is nowhere like this place”
Edwin Heathcote, Financial Times, March 2022.
Fiona moved south from the Highlands of Scotland in 1996 to study for the Christie’s Postgraduate Diploma in Decorative Arts at Glasgow University. A move to Edinburgh followed where she was delighted to be offered a position within the Silver and Jewellery department of Bonhams Edinburgh, where she remained for 23 years.