First exhibition at the new Burrell Collection set to open
An exhibition charting the legacy of Sir William Burrell and his wife Constance, Lady Burrell, who donated one of the single greatest gifts to the city of Glasgow, is set to open on Saturday.
Article Source: Glasgow Life
Last Updated: 26 August 2022 8:27
The Burrells’ Legacy: A Great Gift to Glasgow is the inaugural exhibition to be held at The Burrell Collection Glasgow since it reopened in March 2022, following a major refurbishment and redesign. It is free to enter.
Visitors will discover more about how The Burrell Collection, which is managed by Glasgow Life, the charity responsible for culture and sport in the city, came to be.
Over 100 extraordinary objects help tell the story of its formation, from a couple’s private art collection to a treasured civic museum of huge international significance, and reveals the dedicated efforts of Sir William Burrell and Constance, Lady Burrell, the Glasgow Corporation, architects, and other key players, to create a permanent home for the magnificent Collection.
Duncan Dornan, Head of Glasgow Life Museums and Collections said: “Since opening in March, the popularity of The Burrell Collection, together with positive feedback from visitors, highlights the huge affection that exists for the museum and Collection.
“I’ve often wondered what Dr Tom Honeyman must have thought on the journey home from Hutton Castle, where he learned The Burrells were to gift their exceptional Collection to the city of Glasgow. The breadth and scale of that Collection, which continues to grow today thanks to the work of the Burrell Trustees, has inspired people, from its initial donation in 1944 to its refurbishment and redisplay over 75 years later.
“It seems appropriate that the first exhibition in the new Burrell reveals more about the couple themselves and the story behind the creation of the wonderful museum in which their Collection is housed.”
Professor Frances Fowle, Senior Trustee, Sir William Burrell Trust, said: “The Trustees are delighted to sponsor this inaugural exhibition of the newly refurbished Burrell Collection. It is a testament to Sir William and Constance, Lady Burrell’s love of beautiful objects and to the quality and international scope of the Collection. It is also a tribute to their generosity as donors, not only to the city of Glasgow but to their local town of Berwick-upon-Tweed.”
Prior to the 1944 donation, the Burrells had rarely collected objects from ancient civilisations. Once they had committed to giving their Collection to Glasgow, Sir William Burrell turned his attention to ensuring it was more representative of worldwide history. The exhibition explains Burrell’s renewed focus on this area of collecting and introduces some stunning ceramics, jewellery and art from Greece, Egypt, and ancient Mesopotamia. This is enhanced by the addition of reference books from Burrell’s personal library of over 1,000 books, also gifted to the city after Constance, Lady Burrell’s death. Complete with extensively annotated pages, these books were crucial for expanding his knowledge of potential acquisitions.
One favourite purchase, back on show for the first time since the museum closed in October 2016, is a fragment of a mosaic floor from 100 BC. Purchased in 1954, it shows a flamboyant cockerel, with golden wings and long green tail feathers, originally used to decorate the floor of a wealthy Roman’s villa.
For the first time, The Burrells’ Legacy: A Great Gift to Glasgow will reunite works the Burrells gifted to Berwick. The family lived in Hutton Castle, where a great many of their treasured artworks were on display and used in daily life. In 1949 they donated 42 paintings to the town, establishing the Berwick Art Gallery. They also donated over 300 decorative art objects, including Chinese and Japanese porcelain, Venetian glass, and pewter.
The exhibition offers a rare opportunity to see artwork acquired by Burrell, on loan from Northumberland Museum, alongside delicate works on paper seldom on show for their protection. On show are works including several examples of Japanese Imari ware porcelain, not held in The Burrell Collection. These are displayed alongside colourful Japanese woodcut prints created in the 1600 – 1800s.
The exhibition goes on to explore the search for somewhere to build The Burrell Collection and the competition to appoint architects to create a fitting museum to showcase the incredible breadth of artwork.
During the early 1950s, many locations were considered as the potential site for the future Burrell Collection museum. William Burrell died in 1958 and did not live to see a home for his Collection being built. Almost 10 years later, Dame Anne Maxwell Macdonald, the owner of Pollok House and Estates, gifted the house and lands to the City of Glasgow and it was agreed that the stunning parkland setting was a perfect backdrop for a world-class museum and Collection.
In September 1970, an architectural competition was launched to find a design for the Burrell Collection. It received 242 entries. The Glasgow Special Collections archive still holds many of these submissions, giving a glimpse of the huge variety of designs suggested for the museum.
The Burrells’ Legacy: A Great Gift to Glasgow showcases some of the most avant-garde ideas, including proposals that would have displayed the Collection in a building shaped as three linked cows, while another would have housed it underground, covered with a roof made of five large glass domes, emerging out of the Pollok estate.
The winning design by architects Barry Gasson, Brit Andresen, and John Meunier was announced in March 1972. Taking inspiration from the park setting, their designs used natural materials to bring the Collection and parklands together. On 3 May 1978, the Burrells’ daughter, Silvia, signalled the start of work on site.
One of the final sections considers the ongoing important role of the Sir William Burrell Trust, which was established after his death to allow the Collection to continue to grow. Appointed Trustees provide expertise on and fund the acquisition of new objects, as well as supporting conservation and research on different aspects of the Collection, including stained glass, tapestries, and paintings. They played a crucial role in the recent refurbishment of the museum, supporting the development of new galleries and, in particular, the open store and generously supporting this first special exhibition.
Among the show’s main attractions are two recent purchases by the Trustees, which visitors can view for the first time. In 2021, The Burrell Collection became the first public UK collection to acquire a work by French sculptor Camille Claudel. L’Implorante is the first sculpture by a woman to enter the Collection.
William Burrell also had a passion for the work of Glasgow Boy artist Joseph Crawhall. The painting, A Mallard Rising, was originally put up for sale in 1935. Burrell bought 11 Crawhall works at the auction, but missed out on purchasing this watercolour, the prized lot of the sale. Nearly 77 years later, the Burrell Trustees managed to finally acquire it for the Collection.
Laura Bauld, Burrell Project Curator at Glasgow Life Museums, who put the exhibition together, said: “It’s been an absolute joy working on this exhibition. Sir William Burrell and Constance, Lady Burrell had a lifelong commitment to collecting, and their generosity in donating their wonderful Collection to Glasgow is astounding. Their gift has allowed generations of people, just like me, to enjoy breath-taking art from across the world and across time.
“By selecting over 100 objects for display, many to be seen for the first time in a generation, I’ve learned more about their work and got to know the different people who were involved in creating The Burrell Collection. Burrell was such a thorough, prolific collector, we could have shown so much more.
“This first exhibition is full of wonderful objects and the stories behind them. I hope people enjoy discovering more about the Burrells and how the world-class museum came to be located in Glasgow.”
The Burrells’ Legacy: A Great Gift to Glasgow opens on Saturday 27 August, it is free to enter. A publication accompanying the exhibition will be available from The Burrell Collection priced £6.99.
Sponsored Links
Latest Glasgow News
Smash hit production of The Red Shoes returns to Glasgow
New Adventures is delighted to bring Matthew Bourne's double Olivier award-winning, smash hit production of THE RED SHOES to the King's Theatre, Glasgow in January!
READ MORE
Bruadar toasts World Bee Day with honey infused cocktails in bars across Scotland
Limited-edition serves launched across top Scottish bars using honey from Aberargie Distillery's resident bees.
READ MORE
Aldi Scottish Sport Fund offers Glasgow and West of Scotland clubs the chance to access funding
Aldi's Scottish Sport Fund 2025 has returned for its tenth year, giving local sports clubs in Glasgow and the West of Scotland the opportunity to receive a share of £50,000 in funding.
READ MORE
Gael & Grain opens in the West End: A Fresh Celebration of Scottish Hospitality
The much-anticipated Gael & Grain is now officially open, bringing a bold new vision to the city's West End.
READ MORE
King Pins offers free bowling to anyone called Colin
Ahead of opening on 26th June in Silverburn Shopping Centre, King Pins is offering a free round of bowling to anyone named Colin, with bookings now live!
READ MORE
Vue to host marvellous superhero season welcoming classic X Men films back to the big screen for 25th anniversary
Film fans, families and comic book enthusiasts are invited to rediscover the original big screen superhero team as a series of classic X-Men films return to the big screen at Vue this month.
READ MORE
Flight Club Glasgow unveils glorious summer cocktails
With the weather heating up, cocktail drinking season is upon us, and Flight Club Glasgow has just dropped a banger of a drinks list to crack through this summer!
READ MORE
Piping Live! festival and World Pipe Band Championships have officially launched for 2025!
Glasgow will hit the high notes this August as Scotland, the global home of piping, looks forward to the world's biggest week of bagpipes with the return of two iconic events!
READ MORE
Kids Fly FareFREE on new Loganair routes
Families can take advantage of Loganair's new Kids Fly Fare-FREE offer, allowing children aged 11 and under to travel without paying an airfare.
READ MORE
ICW Says Goodbye to the Home of Scottish Wrestling
ICW will bid farewell to the Asylum with emotional weekend of events next month.
READ MORE
One man show brings all the emotions to the Tron Theatre... as well as dogs!
Man's Best Friend brings Douglas Maxwell's award-winning combination of humour, emotion – and for the first time, dogs to the Tron Theatre!
READ MORE
Meatopia gives Glasgow a taste of what is to come and reveals full chef, and music, line up
Legendary fire-cooking festival Meatopia is coming to Scotland for the first time, taking over SWG3 Glasgow from 6th – 8th June.
READ MORE
Lorraine Kelly meets the Loch Ness Monster Milker delivering Nessie Nectar across the UK
IRN-BRU XTRA has launched a custom milk float delivery service bringing limited-edition Nessie Nectar straight from the shores of Loch Ness to doors across the UK.
READ MORE
Glasgow reports record breaking year for conference business
Glasgow's reputation as a leading national and international destination for conferences has been cemented by the latest statistics on the value of this important part of the city's economy.
READ MORE
Full casting announced for The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, coming to Glasgow in June
The King's Theatre Glasgow are pleased to share full casting of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the publication of C.S. Lewis novel.
READ MORE
Safety and family time driving surge in adult swim lessons
Scottish adults are being encouraged to learn to swim this summer to boost water safety skills for the whole family.
READ MORE
Scottish TV Chef celebrates book launch with Glasgow pop up
Glasgow's cult fried chicken spot, Birds at Phillies of Shawlands, is proud to announce its first-ever collaboration and it's a special one.
READ MORE
Scottish rising star Brooke Combe announced as Lionel Richie tour support
Lionel Richie is proud to announce rising star Brooke Combe will be supporting him on the UK leg of his 'Say Hello To The Hits' tour, including at Glasgow's OVO Hydro.
READ MORE
New documentary tells the story of world record breaking Scottish brothers
A new documentary - now live on STV Player - tells the story of the Maclean Brothers and their self-confessed “piss poor” preparations the ocean adventure that lay ahead.
READ MORE
David Attenborough and Eurovision steal the spotlight at Vue venues in Scotland this month
Audiences are invited to travel the globe - both musically and visually - this May, as both David Attenborough and Eurovision head to the big screen at Vue venues across Scotland.
READ MORE
Olivier Award nominated star announced as part of cast of The Bodyguard
Award-winning smash hit musical The Bodyguard will star international leading lady Sidonie Smith as Rachel Marron and Olivier Award nominee Adam Garcia as Frank Farmer when it comes to Glasgow!
READ MORE
Charity Super.Mkt marks 1 year milestone with longest serving location in Glasgow
The 'department store for second-hand style', Charity Super.Mkt, in Buchanan Galleries is celebrating one year this May, proudly marking its longest-running store to date.
READ MORE
The Royal Yacht Britannia Exhibition and Retail Experience are shipshape and ready to welcome visitors
2025 marks the next chapter in The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust’s legacy with the opening of a brand-new, world-class visitor centre with exhibition and retail experience.
READ MORE
Comedy giants get The Last Laugh in new show coming to Glasgow following EdFringe and West End runs
The Last Laugh will arrive at Glasgow's Theatre Royal this summer following a sell-out run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe!
READ MORE
Pavilion Festival rounds off biggest event yet with Happy Mondays and STREETrave Classical
Pavilion Festival has rounded off its biggest ever event with over 16,000 music fans enjoying three days of non-stop live music and feel good vibes on Ayr’s iconic Low Green.
READ MORE
Cineworld announces first ever 4DX Family Day
For one day only, families can experience Moana, Paddington, and Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in immersive 4DX at all 34 Cineworld 4DX screens nationwide.
READ MORE
Daniel Casey to star as Inspector Barnaby in Scottish premiere of Midsomer Murders
Original cast member of Midsomer Murders, Daniel Casey, joins new stage adaptation making its Scottish premiere at the Theatre Royal Glasgow in February.
READ MORE
Strictly champ Ore Oduba joins Picture You Dead ahead of performances at the Theatre Royal Glasgow
See the bestselling DSI Roy Grace book by Peter James on stage for the first time at Glasgow's Theatre Royal from Tuesday 10th to Saturday 14th June.
READ MORE
Brand new show Something About Lennon opens UK tour this month with Scottish dates
Celebration of the iconic late Beatle's life and music will be performed at 26 venues nationwide.
READ MORE
Celebrate Fathers Day in Style with Dobbies Sunday Lunch and Planting Experience
This June, Dobbies Garden Centres is presenting a brand-new way to celebrate Father’s Day, combining a hearty Sunday roast with a hands-on grow-your-own herb planting workshop.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links