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Scotland : Burrell Collection and Pollok Park

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Burrell Collection and Pollok Park

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  • The wealth that Sir William Burrell amassed in his lifetime allowed him to indulge his passion for collecting some of the world’s finest art, from a wide range of cultures and artistic periods. His hoard (about 9,000 items) constitutes one of the greatest private art collections ever assembled. When he donated it to the city of Glasgow, it was with stringent conditions on how it was to be displayed. The result is breathtaking.

Top 10 Highlights
  • 1. Hutton Rooms

    Sir William and Lady Burrell did not simply collect art, they liked to live with it. The Hutton Rooms near the entrance of the Collection include an exact reconstruction of the dining room at their home in Hutton Castle, with carved panels from the 15th century and priceless tapestries.

  • 2. Ancient Civilizations

    A superb round-up of artifacts from the Sumerian, Babylonian, Assyrian, Persian, Egyptian, Greek and Roman cultures. Don’t miss the wicked eye of the cockerel preserved in a Roman mosaic.

  • 3. Hornby Portal

    More than just a doorway, the portal is almost an entire castle wall of 16th-century heraldic carvings, removed from Hornby Castle. It was the largest object Burrell collected and has been superbly incorporated into the structure of the building.

  • 4. Stained Glass Collection

    One of the gallery’s special surprises is its 600 panels of medieval stained glass. The delight is in the detail for, aside from common religious themes, these panels also give a fascinating glimpse into everyday life in the Middle Ages.

  • 5. Tapestries

    Burrell justly considered his 150 tapestries to be the most valuable part of his collection. They once hung in the most powerful courts in the world. Look for the enchanting Bible Tapestry from 16th-century Germany and the incredible narrative, Scenes from the Life of Christ and of the Virgin (c.1450).

  • 6. Chinese Ceramics

    Chinese ceramicists are masters in the depiction of movement, colour and expression. Good examples are the Tang dynasty horse , stiff with fear, the pouncing lion roof tile and the exuberance of the storks on an enamelled Guan jar. As well as these great works, you’ll see writhing dragons galore.

  • 7. Oriental Art

    This section covers an astounding diversity of material, from Chinese jades to Near Eastern carpets. Make sure you see the humorous Japanese prints, such as Shoki The Demon Queller , and the fine Central Asian embroideries.

  • 8. Medieval European Art

    Art was almost exclusively religious in this period, and the Burrell has exceptional ecclesiastical sculptures from European churches. Equally arresting is a 15th-century Book of Hours , made for a Breton lady.

  • 9. Old Master Paintings

    The star exhibits are Rembrandt’s 1632 Self-Portrait as a moustached youth, and Frans Hals’ Portrait of a Gentleman (1639), which was Burrell’s most expensive buy.

  • 10. Pollok House and Park

    Don’t ignore neighbouring Pollok House, which has one of Britain’s best collections of Spanish paintings and is set within a beautiful and extensive park .

Practical Information
The Burrell has a pleasant, if basic, café, with views across the surrounding park. On a sunny day, take a picnic and make the most of the park. Pollok Country Park 2060 Pollokshaws Rd, Glasgow Burrell Collection (0141) 287 2550 10am–5pm Mon–Thu & Sat, 11am–5pm Fri & Sun Free Pollok House (0141) 616 6410 10am–5pm daily; closed 25 & 26 Dec, 1 & 2 Jan adm £5; concessions £3.75
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