Description: This is reputedly one of the oldest art galleries and museums in Scotland. It is named after William Hunter, who was, among other things, royal surgeon to King George I. He must have been a very curious, as well as wealthy person, to have collected so many various and interesting things and then have the money to fund the building of a structure to house all his stuff in.
Hunter's collections are located in various buildings on the campus of the University of Glasgow. The two main places to see the collections are the Gallery, and the Museum.
The Gallery, a modern, custom-built facility, is part of the extensive University library complex. The Gallery displays an extensive art collection, and features an outdoor sculpture garden. The bas relief aluminium doors to the Hunterian Gallery were designed by Scottish sculptor Eduardo Paolozzi. The art collection has grown since Hunter's original collection. Part of the art collection includes a large number of Whistler's paintings, and paintings of Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
Also connected to the Gallery is Mackintosh's house, rebuilt by the University (using modern materials) at exactly the same point that the original had stood. The Mackintosh House features some of the original woodwork of the old terraced house, and has been furnished entirely to Mackintosh's design, with original decorations and furniture.
The Museum features extensive displays relating to William Hunter and his collections relating to Roman Scotland (especially the Antonine Wall), geology, ethnography, ancient Egypt, coins, and medals. Superb geological, zoological, anatomical, archaeological, ethnographic, and scientific instruments also form the collections, as well as preserved insects and other biological specimens.
It is open Monday to Saturday, and admission is free to the Gallery and Museum. A modest charge (£2) is levied for the Mackintosh House. There is a cafe and small gift shop as well. Getting to the University of Glasgow is easily done by subway or bus from the city centre.
It is well worth the effort to view the amazing variety of things you may not have seen elsewhere, as well as appreciate the art. And I have not even described the zoology and anatomy collections, which are also housed on the university campus.
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