Editor Pick
Burrell Collection
- May 17, 2006
- Rated 4 of 5 by
artslover from Calgary, Alberta
The Burrell Collection was donated in 1944 by Sir William and Lady Constance Burrell. It consists of over 9,000 works from an array of periods and numbers of countries. When it was donated, the City of Glasgow wanted the collection to be housed in one building to show the works of art to their greatest advantage, and also to avoid the damaging effects of air pollution. After Burrell's death, Anne Maxwell Macdonald and her family gifted Pollok House and 360 acres of Pollok Estate to the City of Glasgow. There, in a purpose built building, the Burrell Collection can now be found.
Inside the vast building, you can view this important collection of medieval art, tapestries, alabasters, stained glass, and English oak furniture. It is particularly good for European paintings, including many works by Degas and Cézanne. The collection also includes Islamic art and modern sculpture including works by Epstein and Rodin. There are works from ancient China, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Architectural features from the collection have been integrated into the structure of the building at the entrance and elsewhere, you can walk under arches built for medieval lords and ladies. There are also reconstructions of rooms from Sir William Burrell’s home, furnished in Gothic style with items from the collection.
The Burrell Collection is open every day of the week. It is within Glasgow city limits but not within the downtown area. You can get to Pollock County Park by rail or bus, then take a courtesy bus from the park entrance to the Burrell Collection, but I chose to take a taxi, which was £8 including tip. Admission to the main collection is free, a charge may apply to special exhibits.
Floor plans are available for free at the reception desk just as you enter the building. Audio guides are also available. There is also a small gift shop with more extensive guides to the collection. They range in price. A cafe and restaurant are also housed within the building. On a pleasant day, a leisurely meal in the park setting would be a good finish after viewing the collection.
It is almost exhausting to think of collecting all of the items. There is a lot to see and I recommend anyone with an interest in art should visit because there is sure to be some items of interest.
From journal Friendly Glasgow
The Burrell Collection
- January 15, 2001
- Rated 4 of 5 by
Re Carroll from Abbotsford, British Columbia
This stunning collection is mentioned in just about every travel book on Glasgow and it deserves to be as it is one of the premier attractions in Scotland. The collection belonged to Sir William Burrell and features French impressionist paintings, stained glass, antique furniture, suits of armour, Chinese porcelain, silver and my favourite, medieval tapestries. These large tapestries depict life in the middle ages and the detail from the multitude of tiny stitches is exquisite. Pollock Park is a green belt not far from the centre of the City and is very peaceful to stroll through.
From journal Glasgow - New and Improved
The Burrell Collection
- June 30, 2000
- Rated 3 of 5 by
kimmsw from Sparks, Nevada
The Burrell Collection is entirely a private collection left to Glasgow by a wealthy shipowner who colected art everywhere he went. The collection includes funriture, pictures, art objects, tapestries, reconsructed rooms from Sir Burrell's castle, and stained glass, among many other items. This collection really is famous throughout Europe and is well publicized at Tourist Information centers.
From journal Glasgow isn't as bad as it's former reputation