The Homecoming
Glasgow’s The Burrell Collection re-opened to the public in March 2022. Ellis Cochrane could not resist retracing her steps in the museum she remembers visiting as a child to marvel at the beauty once again on display.
Imagery courtesy of The Burrell Collection
The first time I saw The Burrell Collection as a child I remember wandering around the vast space, mesmerised by the expansive wall of windows that served as a backdrop for the works of art. Today the pieces have been returned to many of the same spots. This feeling of being amazed by the contrast between sleek, modern glass and old masters remains while walking in the North Gallery with its sweeping views of the greenery of Pollok Country Park.
You can see Edgar Degas’ ‘Portrait of Edmond Duranty’, ‘The Thinker’ by Rodin, Paul Cezanne’s ‘The Chateau of Medan’, and ‘Women Drinking Beer’ by Edouard Manet, as well as artefacts and objects dating back to the first century BC and the Ming and Tang dynasties.
Set over three floors, the collection includes more than 5000 pieces (compared to the 3000 previously on display) with a central agora serving as a gallery and open seating space. The six stained glass panels from the Carmelite Church at Boppard-am-Rhein, including ‘Four Scenes from the Life of Jesus Christ’ and ’Scenes from the Life of Christ and the Virgin Mary’, have been moved from the original entrance and now line the walls of this central space.
Different vantage points, such as elevated viewing platforms and bridge-like suspended corridors, have been created to allow you to see the collection from different angles. More than a third of gallery space was added to house pieces that had been in storage for decades and those never before been displayed. The makeover has breathed new life into a building that was no longer fit for purpose due to water damage and algae infestation.
The collection, which spans 6000 years and many areas of the globe, has also become more accessible. Many of the displays have been moved closer to the ground to cater to young children and families, and new ways of communicating with visitors, including British Sign Language, community languages and large text formats, have been added.
It may have been closed to the public for longer than anticipated, but The Burrell Collection remains a must-see for any visitor to the Scottish city.