Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Burrell Collection

The Burrell Collection is an art museum in , , , displaying over 9,000 objects primarily amassed by shipping magnate Sir William Burrell (1861–1958) and his wife Constance, which they donated to the city in 1944 with conditions for public display. The collection encompasses art and artifacts spanning more than 6,000 years across multiple continents and cultures, including ancient Near Eastern antiquities, from the to Ming dynasties, medieval European , tapestries, arms and armor, Persian carpets, and modern works such as paintings by , , and , alongside sculptures by . Originally opened to the public in 1983 after delays due to postwar building restrictions stipulated in the bequest, the underwent a major refurbishment and reopened in 2022, enabling display of a greater proportion of the holdings and earning the Art Fund Museum of the Year award in 2023 for its innovative presentation and accessibility.

Historical Background

Sir William Burrell's Life and Acquisition of the Collection

Sir was born in on 9 July 1861, the third of nine children to William Burrell, a shipping agent, and his wife Isabella. The family shipping firm, Burrell & Son, had been established by his grandfather in 1856, initially focusing on canal boats before expanding into steamships and broader maritime trade. Burrell joined the business in 1875 at age 14 and became a partner a decade later, leveraging economic fluctuations such as post-World War I shipping slumps to acquire vessels at low prices, which built substantial wealth enabling his art pursuits. Burrell's interest in developed early, influenced by artworks in his childhood home, and he began systematic in the late , continuing for over 70 years until amassing approximately 9,000 objects spanning 6,000 years of . His acquisitions emphasized over , guided by personal rather than trends, with a focus on medieval European items like and tapestries, comprehensive Chinese ceramics and bronzes from every major dynasty, and 19th-century French works including multiple pieces by . He sourced items primarily through established and dealers, houses, and private sales, often tracing purchases via dealers' records and catalogues; notable examples include three panels bought from dealer William Drake in September 1945 and "A Portrait of a Gentleman" by acquired at for £14,500 on 5 April 1948, his most expensive single purchase. Burrell married Constance Mary Lumsden in 1902; the couple, who had one daughter, , collaborated on the collection, with her sharing his aesthetic preferences. He was knighted in 1931 for services to shipping and . Burrell died on 29 March 1958 at age 96, leaving the bulk of his amassed holdings intact for public benefit.

Donation to Glasgow and Initial Challenges

In 1944, during the final year of , Sir William Burrell and his wife, Lady Constance Burrell, donated their extensive collection of approximately 8,000 artworks and artifacts—spanning objects from ancient civilizations to modern European pieces—to Corporation through a formal memorandum of agreement. The gift included provisions for a dedicated , with Burrell contributing significant funds toward its construction, estimated at £450,000 in contemporary value, to ensure the collection's proper display and preservation. Key conditions stipulated that the items remain within the , with loans permitted only to other British institutions to minimize risks of damage during transport—a concern rooted in Burrell's experiences with fragile artifacts—and that the be sited in a rural setting near his Hutton Park residence in , at least 16 miles from 's city center to shield the works from industrial smoke and pollution. The wartime context immediately complicated implementation, as resource shortages and national priorities halted construction and planning efforts, leaving the collection dispersed across storage facilities and temporary exhibitions in Glasgow's existing museums for years. Postwar reconstruction demands further protracted progress, with site selection emerging as a primary obstacle due to the stringent locational requirements, which conflicted with urban expansion pressures and accessibility needs for public visitation. By 1966, parliamentary discussions highlighted the ongoing frustration, noting that over two decades had elapsed without a permanent home, resulting in suboptimal storage conditions and limited public access that risked deterioration of sensitive items like tapestries and porcelains exposed to suboptimal environments. These delays underscored tensions between Burrell's protective stipulations—intended to preserve the collection's integrity amid Glasgow's then-prevalent atmospheric pollution—and the practicalities of municipal governance, ultimately requiring compromises in design and eventual legislative adjustments decades later to adapt to changing circumstances.

Site Selection and Original Establishment

William Burrell stipulated in the deed of gift to that his collection be housed in a purpose-built situated in a rural environment, specifically at least 16 miles from the city center or within four miles of the village of in , to allow public appreciation amid natural surroundings. Postwar financial constraints and the stringent location requirements delayed site identification, with the collection remaining in storage or temporary displays for decades after Burrell's death in 1958. In 1966, the 360-acre , previously part of the Maxwell estate, was donated to by its last private owner, Anne Maxwell Macdonald, providing a large wooded area on the city's southern outskirts approximately three to six miles from the center. Although deviated from the precise geographic stipulations, authorities deemed it compliant with the intent of a countryside setting conducive to viewing the artworks, leading to its selection after prolonged searches. Following the park's acquisition, an international architectural competition ensued, culminating in the commissioning of a dedicated structure in the ; the formally opened to the public in 1983, drawing over one million visitors in its inaugural year.

The Museum Building

Architectural Design and Construction (1970s)

In 1970, Glasgow Corporation launched an international competition to design a purpose-built for the Burrell Collection in . The competition sought a structure that would harmonize with the park's landscape while accommodating the collection's diverse artifacts, including large-scale items like tapestries and architectural fragments. The winning entry, selected in 1971, was submitted by architect Barry Gasson in collaboration with Brit Andresen and John Meunier, all Cambridge-educated academics. Their modernist design featured a low-profile pavilion of brick and glass, emphasizing modular construction, extensive natural daylighting through glazed walls, and sightlines integrating indoor displays with the surrounding woodland. This approach reflected 1970s Brutalist influences adapted to create a "walk in the woods" experience, prioritizing the symbiotic relationship between architecture, art, and nature over overt monumentality. Construction commenced following a process in November 1977, with site work beginning in April 1978. The project employed traditional procurement under JCT '63 contracts and culminated in completion by March 1983, spanning 14,430 square meters at a total cost of £16.5 million. The building opened to the public on October 21, 1983, after formal inauguration by Queen Elizabeth II, marking a significant achievement in post-war Scottish as a rare tailored for cultural preservation.

Refurbishment Project (2016–2022)

The Burrell Collection closed to visitors in October 2016 to initiate a comprehensive refurbishment addressing structural deterioration, limited , and outdated environmental controls in the 1970s-era building. The project, designed by John McAslan + Partners, expanded space by 35% to accommodate 24 reconfigured galleries displaying 225 exhibits, including long-term installations like the Wagner garden carpet and digital interpretive elements for enhanced object context. Architectural modifications included a new central stairway linking all three floors—previously inaccessible to the public—additional entrances for better circulation, and a dedicated temporary exhibition space, while preserving the original Brutalist elements. upgrades featured a replacement roof, removal of 3,120 m² of inefficient double glazing (achieving a U-value of 1.6 W/m²K), improved airtightness, and mechanical systems that halved heat load and reduced cooling demand by 20%, resulting in a Excellent rating placing it among the top 10% of energy-efficient buildings. The total cost reached £68.25 million, exceeding initial 2015 estimates of £60–66 million, with funding comprising nearly 50% from , over 25% from the , £5.75 million from the , and the balance from UK Government grants, trusts, and private donors. The refurbishment concluded with the museum's reopening on 29 March 2022, incorporating tactile and child-friendly displays, a learning centre, expanded outdoor piazza with café seating, and park enhancements like improved paths, signage, and electric shuttles for better site integration.

Awards, Sustainability Features, and Post-Reopening Reception

The Burrell Collection's refurbishment earned multiple accolades, including the Art Fund of the Year 2023 prize, which carried a £120,000 award and recognized the venue's transformation and enhanced visitor experience. In 2024, it received the Royal Incorporation of Architects in (RIAS) Andrew Doolan Award for Best Building in , honoring the project's architectural retrofit and integration of heritage with modern functionality. Additional honors included five Scottish Design Awards, with a gold in the Design for Good category and the judges' grand prize, as well as the AJ Retrofit Award in 2023 for exemplary . Sustainability was a core focus of the 2016–2022 refurbishment, achieving a Excellent rating that placed the building in the top 10% of energy-efficient structures through measures like improved airtightness, new low-emission glazing, and enhanced insulation reducing reliance on fossil fuels for climate control. All demolished materials, including stainless steel cladding, were recycled onsite, diverting waste and saving an estimated 27 tons of emissions. The design prioritized low-carbon operations, such as and efficient HVAC systems tailored to artifact preservation needs, while expanding gallery space by 35% without proportional energy increases. Following its reopening on 29 March 2022, the Burrell Collection attracted over 500,000 visitors in the first year, reaching its 1 millionth visitor by 13 February 2024 and generating £20 million in economic impact for . III officially reopened the venue on 13 October 2022, underscoring its cultural significance. Visitor surveys indicated 97% satisfaction rates, with praise for expanded displays, improved accessibility, and contextual storytelling around the collection's origins. Reviews highlighted the refurbished building's spaciousness and user-friendliness, though some noted the eclectic arrangement could feel disjointed; overall reception affirmed its status as a revitalized destination blending with contemporary engagement.

The Art Collection

Overview of Scope and Composition

The Burrell Collection comprises approximately 9,000 objects, primarily amassed by shipping magnate Sir William Burrell and his wife Lady Constance from the 1880s until 1944, when they donated it to . These holdings span over 6,000 years of , from Chinese ceramics dating to around 4000 BCE to early 20th-century paintings and sculptures, reflecting Burrell's preference for objects that evoked atmospheric and textural qualities suited to domestic display. The collection's composition emphasizes decorative and applied arts over fine art paintings, with strengths in ceramics, textiles, metalwork, and ivories across multiple civilizations. European holdings dominate numerically, featuring late medieval and Gothic pieces such as tapestries, , and limestone sculptures from and , alongside Renaissance silver and 18th-19th century furniture. Asian art forms a core pillar, particularly stoneware and from the to Qing dynasties, including export wares influenced by European trade, as well as Japanese and bronzes. Middle Eastern and Islamic contributions include Persian carpets, Fatimid glass from , and Mesopotamian ivories from sites like . Smaller but notable segments cover ancient Egyptian artifacts, such as chariot fittings from the 19th Dynasty, and modern Western works, including Impressionist oils by and sculptures by , acquired through Burrell's dealings with dealers like Alexander Reid. This eclectic assembly avoids comprehensive coverage of any single school or period, prioritizing rarity, craftsmanship, and aesthetic harmony over systematic representation, with objects selected for their potential integration into Burrell's Hutton Park home. Post-donation additions by Museums have been minimal, preserving the original donor's vision.

Medieval and Gothic European Art

The Burrell Collection features extensive holdings of medieval and Gothic art, emphasizing late medieval and early works from regions including , , and the . Key categories encompass over 200 tapestries, more than 600 panels, Gothic stone sculptures, ivories, carvings, and medieval arms and armor. These artifacts, acquired by Sir primarily in the early 20th century, reflect technical mastery in weaving, glazing, and stonework characteristic of Gothic aesthetics, with themes spanning religious devotion, , and daily life. Tapestries form one of the collection's premier strengths, numbering around 200 pieces mostly from the late 15th to early 16th centuries, ranking among the world's finest ensembles of medieval and textiles. Woven primarily in and from workshops in , , and the , they depict diverse motifs such as hunts, , , and mythological scenes. Notable examples include the Franco-Netherlandish Fight Between a and a (c. 1525), portraying huntsmen observing , and a tapestry (c. 1510) illustrating an open-air in a garden of love setting. German tapestries feature standing , exemplifying expressive figural groups. Stained glass represents another cornerstone, with over 600 panels varying from small roundels to full lights, sourced from sites across medieval Europe. English examples include a Royal Window panel (c. 1483–1484) portraying Princess , daughter of , in vibrant blue, burgundy, and yellow hues. Norwich School panels depict angels, showcasing intricate narrative and symbolic elements typical of style. These works highlight advancements in pot-metal glass and leading techniques for luminous, didactic church decoration. Gothic sculpture includes painted limestone retables and figural carvings, such as a Burgundian retable (c. 1450–1500) depicting Christ crucified between the Virgin Mary, the Evangelist, and attendant saints, underscoring Eucharistic themes central to late Gothic . and wood sculptures from and the further illustrate devotional , while arms and armor—swords, helmets, and plate—provide insight into medieval military . Ivories and bronzes complement these, offering portable expressions of Gothic and . These holdings demonstrate Burrell's discerning eye for Gothic-era craftsmanship, prioritizing completeness and over mere rarity, with many pieces restored to reveal original polychromy and detailing.

Chinese and Asian Art

The Chinese holdings in the Burrell Collection represent one of the most significant assemblages of in the , encompassing over 1,800 objects that span from the period to the (1644–1912). These artifacts include ceramics, bronzes, jades, and , reflecting Sir William Burrell's discerning acquisition strategy focused on dynastic-era works of exceptional quality. The collection features approximately 200 pieces of ranging from prehistoric times to the (618–907 CE), alongside later exemplars. Porcelain forms a cornerstone of the Chinese section, with 208 vases documented, many adorned in the blue-and-white style characteristic of Qing production, acquired through Burrell's targeted purchases in the early 20th century. Notable among the stoneware and porcelain items gifted to Glasgow in 1944 are vessels exemplifying technical mastery in glazing and form, such as those from the Song (960–1279) and Ming (1368–1644) dynasties. A standout sculpture is a limestone ram's head carved during the Tang dynasty, evidencing the period's advancements in naturalistic animal representation and funerary art traditions. Beyond works, the Burrell Collection incorporates select Asian holdings, particularly from , including around 30 woodblock prints produced between 1720 and 1868, which capture scenes from theater and daily life. One such print depicts the demon-queller Shoki, dated circa 1849–1853, highlighting the collection's representation of Edo-period (1603–1868) amid its predominantly focus. These items, donated alongside the Chinese corpus in , complement the broader East Asian scope managed by Museums, which totals approximately 4,620 objects but attributes its strength to Burrell's bequest.

Islamic, French, and Other Holdings

The Islamic holdings in the Burrell Collection derive from Sir William Burrell's acquisitions of textiles, ceramics, glassware, and metalwork spanning the , , and . Key items include pile carpets and prayer rugs from , , and Turkish origins, featuring motifs such as arabesques, animal designs, garden paradises, and hunting scenes that reflect Islamic cultural themes. Specific examples encompass the 17th-century Wagner Garden Carpet from , a grotesque animal carpet fragment, and classic arabesque carpets, with 46 highlights documented in thematic displays on techniques, , and women's roles in production. Complementary objects feature Iranian and Turkish ceramics, Mudejar pottery from , and a green-tinted moulded dish from Fatimid (11th century CE). French holdings emphasize 19th-century paintings alongside medieval works, showcasing Burrell's focused purchases from Parisian dealers. The Impressionist and Post-Impressionist selections include oils and pastels by , such as Women Drinking Beer (c. 1878), Paul Cézanne's Chateau de Medan, and pieces by , forming one of the UK's notable private assemblages of these artists outside major national institutions. Earlier French art comprises Gothic-era sculptures, exemplified by a painted from (c. 1450–1500 CE) depicting Christ crucified flanked by saints. Other holdings extend to ancient civilizations beyond Europe, Asia, and Islamic regions, incorporating artifacts from , , and acquired through markets. Mesopotamian reliefs include a gypsum alabaster head of a royal attendant from Nimrud's North-West Palace, dating to the reign of (883–859 BCE). Egyptian items feature a of Paraherwenemef, Chief Charioteer, inscribed with cartouches of from the 19th Dynasty (1290–1224 BCE), alongside pottery exceeding 2,000 years in age. Roman sculptures round out this category, contributing to the collection's span across five millennia.

Notable Objects and Their Significance

![Statue of The Thinker, 1880 CE.][float-right] The Burrell Collection houses Auguste Rodin's , a cast between 1880 and 1881, depicting a muscular male figure in a tense, contemplative pose originally conceived as pondering the . This work stands as one of the most recognizable sculptures globally, embodying themes of and human intellect, and forms part of the collection's significant holdings of 14 Rodin bronzes, second in scale only to those at the in the . A premier example of medieval is the panel portraying Princess Cecily of York (1469–1507), daughter of IV, dated circa 1483–1484 and originating from the Royal Window at . This vividly colored piece exemplifies late-15th-century English glassmaking artistry through its intricate detailing and heraldic elements, contributing to the collection's internationally important assemblage of over 800 stained glass items that highlight Gothic technical and aesthetic achievements. Among Chinese ceramics, the Meiping vase from the Ming Dynasty's Hongwu period (1368–1398) features a rare five-clawed dragon motif and the inscription "Chun Shou," marking it as an exceptionally scarce early imperial vessel produced at and discovered in . Its survival underscores the collection's strength in pre-15th-century , one of the foremost such groupings in the UK, valued for demonstrating advancements in underglaze blue decoration and symbolic imperial iconography. The Warwick Vase, a 2nd-century marble vessel restored in 1774, was excavated from Emperor Hadrian's Villa at , , representing classical antiquity's grandeur in its Bacchic reliefs and proportions adapted from prototypes. This artifact exemplifies the collection's ancient holdings, which include over 2,000 years old and Mesopotamian ivories, providing tangible links to civilizations spanning six millennia. Edgar Degas's The Red Ballet Skirts (circa 1900) captures three exhausted dancers in crimson attire during a momentary rest, offering insight into the performer's physical demands and backstage reality through Degas's impressionistic technique. As part of robust 19th-century holdings, including works by Manet and Cézanne, it highlights Burrell's preference for that prioritizes candid observation over idealization.

Controversies and Provenance Issues

Nazi-Looted Art Claims and Resolutions

The Burrell Collection has been the subject of spoliation claims under the UK's , established in 2000 to address Nazi-era losses of cultural property. , as custodian, conducted reviews identifying items acquired by Sir William Burrell in from sales coerced by Nazi persecution of Jewish owners. Due to the 1944 bequest agreement's prohibitions on or exporting works, resolutions have favored compensation over restitution, preserving the collection's integrity while addressing moral claims. One resolved case concerns the still life painting Le Pâté de Jambon, attributed to a of Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin. The work originated from a gallery owned by Jewish shareholders, who faced extortionate tax demands from Nazi-aligned officials, leading to a forced at a Berlin auction on 16–17 June 1936. Burrell purchased it in June 1936 from dealer Julius Böhler for £647.15s. Heirs of the shareholders submitted a claim following the council's 2001 publication of 232 items with uncertain . The SAP's report determined a strong moral and legal basis for restitution, recommending urgent return despite legal hurdles from the bequest terms. The council acknowledged the moral obligation but, citing funding needs and restrictions, pursued compensation—estimated at £20,000 for a of Chardin or up to £100,000 if authentic—rather than transfer. A second case involved the 16th-century tapestry fragment The Visitation, depicting the Virgin Mary and . It belonged to Ranette Budge, a Jewish art collector from whose estate faced Nazi confiscation and forced sale at auction in 1937 to fund the regime. Burrell acquired the piece on 8 August 1938 for £315. Budge's heirs filed a claim in 2004. The upheld it in 2014, confirming spoliation and a valid moral claim, but recommended compensation given the bequest's constraints. In August 2015, approved an payment of tens of thousands of pounds (based on auction house valuations), securing release of the ownership claim; the remains on display with annotation. Further scrutiny in 2022, coinciding with the collection's refurbishment reopening, highlighted two additional works traced to German forced sales from Jewish owners, including items in storage. Advocates urged ethical , but no equivalent proceedings ensued, with the council emphasizing continued research and transparency over removal. These cases reflect broader challenges in applying Nazi-era restitution principles to restricted bequests, prioritizing financial redress where physical return contravenes donor intent.

Broader Ethical Concerns in Acquisition

The acquisition of artifacts for the Burrell Collection, amassed by Sir William Burrell primarily between 1900 and 1944 through purchases at auctions and from dealers, has prompted ethical scrutiny in light of modern standards on colonial-era trade and . While Burrell's methods were legal and conventional for affluent collectors of the period, many items trace origins to imperial networks where unregulated excavations and sales of antiquities from regions like , , and supplied European markets. For instance, reliefs from , acquired via 19th- and early 20th-century dealers, reflect a broader often detached from originating communities' consent or benefit. A significant subset of holdings, including European , connects indirectly to the transatlantic slave trade through creators or prior owners who derived wealth from plantations and commerce in enslaved labor. Examples include panels linked to Scottish merchants profiting from sugar estates and Dutch glassware commissioned by traders active in the slave routes, highlighting how Glasgow's mercantile economy—tied to , , and shipping—intersected with Burrell's acquisitions. These ties, while not implying Burrell's direct involvement (as slavery had ended decades prior), underscore debates on whether collections funded or sourced via exploitative empires perpetuate historical inequities without restitution. In response, Glasgow Life Museums, stewards of the collection since its 1944 bequest, conducted extensive provenance reviews during the 2016–2022 refurbishment, integrating slavery and colonial narratives into displays for over 300 objects with identified links. This includes decolonial trails and contextual labels emphasizing transparency, community consultations with 15,000 participants, and commitments to ongoing research without documented repatriation claims for non-Nazi items. Critics argue such acknowledgments, while progressive, fall short of returning artifacts to source cultures, but proponents note the absence of evidence for illicit sourcing by Burrell himself, positioning the approach as ethically responsible within legal constraints of the donation's terms.

Public Access and Cultural Impact

The Burrell Collection is situated within , accessible primarily via 2060 Pollokshaws Road, with a postcode of G43 1AT for . is available in two surface lots within the park— one via Pollokshaws Road and another via Lochinch Road—with charges of £5 for up to four hours and £10 for all-day stays, applicable from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and payable via the RingGo app. Nineteen designated accessible bays are provided free of charge for blue badge holders, without requiring advance booking, on a surface near the entrance. Public transport options include direct bus services from , such as routes 57 and 57A to Road, route 3 to Shawbridge Street, and routes 34 and 34A to Dumbreck Road, with services departing frequently. Train access is via services from to West (four trains per hour) or stations, followed by a walk through the park, which can take 20-30 minutes. A free electric operates daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:15 p.m., running a 20- to 30-minute loop connecting the main park entrance at 2060 Road to the museum and other park facilities. Visitor facilities emphasize accessibility and convenience, with the open to and from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and and from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. A cafe operated by Benugo provides hot and cold drinks, snacks, cakes, and light meals, with indoor and outdoor seating; full menu service ends at 3:15 p.m., after which limited options remain available until closing. A offers merchandise related to the collection, and amenities include two toilets, nine accessible toilets, an accessible lift, hearing loops, a with baby feeding facilities, step-free entrances with ramps, and loaned wheelchairs for those with limited mobility.

Economic and Educational Influence Post-Reopening

Following its reopening on March 29, 2022, the Burrell Collection generated an estimated £19.9 million in economic benefits for and £21.1 million for in the first six months through spending, , and related activities. By the end of its first year, the museum had attracted over 500,000 s, contributing approximately £20 million to the local economy via direct expenditures on admissions, , and , as well as indirect effects from increased . These figures reflect a strong recovery from disruptions, with the refurbished site serving as a catalyst for broader cultural and economic revitalization in , including heightened international profile that sustained inflows. Visitor numbers continued to grow post-reopening, reaching 600,000 within 12 months and surpassing 1 million by February 2024, underscoring sustained economic momentum despite no entry fees for most patrons. The 2023 Art Fund Museum of the Year award, carrying a £100,000 , further amplified economic impacts by enhancing and drawing additional , with interim analyses confirming the site's role in bolstering Glasgow's post-refurbishment sector. Educationally, the reopened Burrell Collection expanded access through curriculum-linked school visits and resources tailored for nursery, primary, and secondary groups, emphasizing hands-on engagement with its global holdings to foster learning in art history, cultural diversity, and interdisciplinary topics. Programs include themed guided tours, creative workshops, and family trails that integrate collection objects into educational narratives, supporting formal curricula while promoting inclusive outreach to diverse audiences via community co-curation and accessibility initiatives. These efforts have re-engaged local schools and underserved groups, enhancing public understanding of historical artifacts and global interconnections, though quantitative impact metrics on participant outcomes remain limited in available reports.

References

  1. [1]
    About The Burrell Collection
    The Burrell Collection is one of a group of museums managed by registered charity, Glasgow Life, on behalf of Glasgow City Council. The other museums include ...About The Collection · Top 30 Objects · The Burrell Project
  2. [2]
    Fast facts - The Burrell Collection
    The Collection was donated to the City of Glasgow in 1944 by Sir William Burrell and his wife Constance, Lady Burrell. Sir William Burrell (1861-1958) was ...Missing: bequeath | Show results with:bequeath
  3. [3]
    The story behind Glasgow's Burrell Collection - Art Fund
    Mar 28, 2022 · When Sir William Burrell donated his vast collection of art and artefacts to the City of Glasgow in 1944, it was deemed one of the greatest ...
  4. [4]
    Museum of the Year 2023 is the Burrell Collection Glasgow
    The extensive collection was gifted to the city of Glasgow by the shipping magnate Sir William Burrell.
  5. [5]
    The Burrell Collection
    In 2023, The Burrell Collection won the 10th edition of the world's largest museum prize, securing the prestigious title of Museum of The Year. Find out more ...About · Burrell Collection Galleries · Burrell · Burrell What's On
  6. [6]
    Sir William Burrell - TheGlasgowStory
    Sir William Burrell (1861-1958), a ship owner and art collector. Burrell & Son was a shipping business founded in 1856 that specialised initially in canal ...
  7. [7]
    The Burrell Collection Feature Page on Undiscovered Scotland
    So who was Sir William Burrell? Born in Glasgow in 1861, he joined the family business of Clyde-based shipowners and shipping agents in 1875, and ten years ...Missing: acquisition | Show results with:acquisition
  8. [8]
    William Burrell: The ships that bought an art collection
    He gathered around 9,000 objects in his lifetime from all over the world. His collection includes paintings, sculptures, tapestries, ceramics and stained glass.
  9. [9]
    William Burrell: A Collector's Life - Books from Scotland
    Sir William Burrell (1861–1958) was one of the world's great art collectors. He and his wife Constance, Lady Burrell (1875–1961), created a collection numbered ...
  10. [10]
    From Collector To Connoisseur: Sir William Burrell and Chinese Art ...
    What provoked Sir William Burrell (1861-1958) into collecting Chinese art - and by Chinese art I mean the broad range of objects from ceramics to bronzes of ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  11. [11]
    Legacies of Slavery and Empire: Sir William Burrell's Stained Glass
    Oct 21, 2020 · He acquired much of his collection in France around 1820. At this time, a large amount of very high quality glass was on the market due to the ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  12. [12]
    Burrell Collection (Lending And Borrowing) (Scotland)) Act 2014
    The Burrell Collection (“the Collection”) consists of around 8,000 items donated to the Council by Sir William and Lady Burrell in terms of an Agreement in 1944 ...
  13. [13]
    Scotland (Burrell Art Collection) - Hansard - UK Parliament
    The Burrell Collection was gifted by Sir William Burrell and Lady Burrell to the City of Glasgow in 1944. One of the restrictions involved in the gift was ...Missing: challenges | Show results with:challenges
  14. [14]
    MSPs approve lending Burrell Collection art overseas - BBC News
    Jan 21, 2014 · Sir William Burrell gifted his collection of more than 8,000 works of art to the city of Glasgow in 1944, on the condition that they were not ...Missing: donation Corporation
  15. [15]
    Glasgow City Council introduces bill to allow Burrell Collection loans
    Jun 5, 2013 · Burrell donated his internationally important collection of 8,000 artworks to Glasgow in 1944.Missing: donation Corporation challenges
  16. [16]
    Glasgow passes first hurdle in bid to take Burrell Collection on tour
    Nov 11, 2013 · The delay in creating a permanent museum was partly because he also insisted that the collection should be housed 16 miles from the then-smoky ...
  17. [17]
    SCOTLAND (BURRELL ART COLLECTION) (Hansard, 11 May 1966)
    One of the restrictions involved in the gift was that the collection had to be 16 miles from the centre of Glasgow and within four miles of That was ...
  18. [18]
    Sir William Burrell - CARP: Chinese Art
    Sir William Burrell (1861-1958) was a wealthy Glasgow shipowner with a lifelong passion for art collecting.
  19. [19]
    the Pollok Country Park experience - The Burrell Collection
    Steeped in 800 years of the history of the Maxwell and Maxwell MacDonald families, the park was gifted to the city in 1966, together with Pollok House, by Anne ...Missing: selection | Show results with:selection
  20. [20]
    Burrell Collection - Brown Sign Blogging
    This was no place near Killearn and only about three miles from Glasgow city centre, but was considered sufficiently rural enough to meet the 'spirit' of ...
  21. [21]
    Burrell Collection Glasgow Museum Building - design
    Oct 15, 2024 · In 1970 the Corporation launched a competition to design a bespoke building to permanently house the collection. The competition attracted a ...Missing: construction | Show results with:construction
  22. [22]
    Burrell Museum — OZ.E.TECTURE - ozetecture.org
    The Burrell Collection, extraordinary for its size, range and quality, includes tapestries, carpets, furniture and architectural fragments such as stone arches ...Missing: construction | Show results with:construction
  23. [23]
    The Burrell Collection - John McAslan + Partners
    The landmark 1983 building and its immediate setting was designed by the Cambridge-educated architect and academic Barry Gasson, and is a seminal British ...
  24. [24]
    The Burrell Collection, Glasgow | John McAslan + Partners | Archello
    In 1983 it was housed in a critically acclaimed museum building designed by three young Cambridge architect-academics - Barry Gasson, Brit Andresen and John ...
  25. [25]
    'A walk in the woods' shelter in place - Design Exhibition Scotland
    Oct 8, 2021 · Brit Andresen, Barry Gasson and John Meunier designed The Burrell Collection in Glasgow to shelter an eclectic collection of valued objects but ...
  26. [26]
    The Burrell Collection | AJ Buildings Library
    The Burrell Collection is a purpose built pavilion set in Scottish parkland, not far from Glasgow's city centre.
  27. [27]
    When did Glasgow's Burrell Collection open? | The Herald
    Feb 8, 2022 · Home to almost 9000 items, the Burrell Collection opened its doors in 1983. It has a rich and varied scope spanning six millennia.
  28. [28]
    2060 pollokshaws road, pollok country park, the burrell ...
    Jan 23, 2013 · The Burrell is a rare and significant post-war commission for a museum building in Scotland, devised as a megastructure, and is an influential ...
  29. [29]
    The Burrell Collection in Glasgow reopens following £68.25m ...
    Mar 29, 2022 · The Burrell Collection in Glasgow opens to the public at 10am on Tuesday 29 March after major refurbishment, the charity Glasgow Life today confirmed.
  30. [30]
    The Burrell Collection reworked by John McAslan Architects
    Apr 14, 2022 · The Burrell's closure in 2016 was, in essence, due to the same factors: the structure leaked water and air badly and annual visitor numbers had ...
  31. [31]
    About The Burrell refurbishment project
    The refurbishment revitalizes the museum, safeguards the collection, adds gallery space, allows exploration of all floors, and improves access and outdoor ...Missing: 2016-2022 | Show results with:2016-2022
  32. [32]
    Burrell Collection retrofit: a glazing success - CIBSE Journal
    Andy Pearson explains how the building's glazed façade was restored to make the gallery fit for a low carbon future.Missing: selection pollution
  33. [33]
    The Burrell Collection: A Modern, Greener Museum
    A key objective of the project was to improve the building fabric to make it more air and water tight, with new glazing to make it less susceptible to changes ...<|separator|>
  34. [34]
    Full cost and scope of £66m revamp of Burrell Collection revealed
    Mar 26, 2015 · The redevelopment of one of Scotland's most important art museums, and the "jewel in the crown" of Glasgow, will cost up to £66m.
  35. [35]
    The Burrell Collection in Glasgow reopens following major ...
    Mar 29, 2022 · The Burrell Collection reopens with a 35% increase in gallery space, new displays, a new roof, and improved environmental performance.
  36. [36]
    Art Fund Museum of The Year 2023 - The Burrell Collection
    The Burrell Collection has been awarded the prestigious Art Fund Museum of the Year 2023 title, the world's largest museum prize.
  37. [37]
    Revamped Burrell Collection wins Museum of the Year - BBC
    Jul 12, 2023 · The Burrell Collection has been named the Art Fund Museum of the Year 2023, which comes with a £120,000 award. The winner was announced by ...
  38. [38]
    Burrell Collection named Scotland's building of the year
    Nov 26, 2024 · The Glasgow venue, which is run by the Glasgow Life trust on behalf of the city council, reopened in 2022 after a £68.25m refurbishment.Missing: achievements | Show results with:achievements
  39. [39]
    Burrell Collection wins RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland
    Nov 22, 2024 · The renovation of the Burrell Collection museum in Glasgow by British studio John McAslan + Partners has won the RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland ...<|separator|>
  40. [40]
    Awards and Nominations - The Burrell Collection
    The Burrell Collection won five awards at the Scottish Design Awards, including a Gold Award in the Design for Good category, plus the prestigious judges Grand ...
  41. [41]
    The Burrell Collection wins prestigious AJ Retrofit Award - Casambi
    Aug 15, 2023 · The refurbishment project aimed to address structural issues in the building, improve exhibition spaces, enhance the visitor experience, and ...
  42. [42]
    The Burrell Renaissance Project | UKGBC
    Jul 19, 2022 · Key Sustainability Objectives/ Outcomes. Achieved a BREEAM Excellent putting in the top 10% of energy-efficient buildings in the UK. This is ...Missing: features | Show results with:features
  43. [43]
    Glasgow's Burrell Collection reaching new sustainability standards
    Nov 10, 2021 · Over and above the retention of the main superstructure, all materials removed from the building were recycled, including stainless steel ...Missing: features | Show results with:features
  44. [44]
  45. [45]
    What made this project… The Burrell Collection by John McAslan + ...
    Oct 17, 2023 · These sustainability goals were met whilst increasing the atmospheric stability required for artefacts and enhancing the architecture, ...
  46. [46]
    The Burrell Collection - Vidimus
    Gallery space has increased by 35% and there are currently 25 displays across 24 galleries drawing from a collection of almost 9000 items. The building is ...Missing: artworks | Show results with:artworks
  47. [47]
    The Burrell Collection is Museum of The Year 2023
    Jul 13, 2023 · The Burrell Collection welcomed over 500,000 visitors in the year after its reopening and contributed an economic impact of £20m for Glasgow in ...Missing: numbers | Show results with:numbers
  48. [48]
    The Burrell Collection Celebrates 1 Million Visitors
    Feb 13, 2024 · The Burrell Collection has welcomed its 1 millionth visitor today (Tuesday 13 February), just under two years since re-opening following major refurbishment.
  49. [49]
    Burrell Collection - Wikipedia
    It houses the art collection of Sir William Burrell and Constance, Lady Burrell. The museum opened in 1983 and reopened on 29 March 2022 following a major ...History · Finding a home for the collection · Building · Collection
  50. [50]
    The Burrell Collection: the recently reopened Glasgow museum is ...
    Jul 10, 2023 · All that changed when it reopened in 2022 after a six-year refurbishment. Sir William Burrell's collection, drawing heavily as it does on ...
  51. [51]
    Burrell Collection reopening: a great Glasgow one-off becomes just ...
    Feb 13, 2022 · After a five-year, £68m renovation, this prized 1970s building housing a great art collection is now more spacious and visitor-friendly.Missing: construction | Show results with:construction<|separator|>
  52. [52]
    The Burrell Collection (2025) - Tripadvisor
    Rating 4.5 (1,604) I was not disappointed. It has recently reopened. It is free to visit! The collection is eclectic and random in its arrangement. It includes tapestries, ...
  53. [53]
    The Burrell Collection Highlights
    Sir William Burrell and his wife Lady Constance gifted their collection of 9,000 objects to the city of Glasgow in 1944. This remarkable collection will ...Meiping Vase · Top 30 Objects · Explore Glasgow Museums...<|separator|>
  54. [54]
    [PDF] Art & Design Collections - Glasgow Life
    The objects donated by Sir William Burrell, collected for their high artistic merits, are considered to be particularly significant. Several groups within this ...
  55. [55]
    The Burrell Collection | Art UK
    The collection was amassed by Glasgow shipping magnate Sir William Burrell and given by him and his wife to the City of Glasgow in 1944. It is displayed in an ...
  56. [56]
    The Burrell Collection at Glasgow Museums
    Sir William collected many different things and the Burrell Collection contains pieces representing many cultures and periods. Many early Chinese ceramics, fine ...
  57. [57]
    Catalogue of Tapestries in the Burrell Collection Published - CODART
    Sep 13, 2017 · The extraordinary collection of some 200 European, mainly medieval and renaissance, tapestries acquired by Glasgow shipping magnate Sir William Burrell (1861– ...
  58. [58]
    The World’s Greatest Tapestries in the Burrell Collection
    Oct 25, 2018 · Over 200 spectacular tapestries spanning particularly the late medieval and early renaissance eras (from about 1350 to 1550) were bought by William Burrell ...Missing: examples | Show results with:examples
  59. [59]
    Burrell Collection Top 30 Objects
    1. Princess Cecily. about 1483-1484 ; 2. The Red Ballet Skirts, Edgar Degas. about 1900 ; 3. Meiping Vase. Ming Dynasty, Hongwu period, 1368-1398 ; 4. Girl on ...
  60. [60]
    church | Boppard Conservation Project – Glasgow Museums | Page 2
    This retable is from Burgundy in France and dates to around 1450 to 1500. It shows Christ on the cross (a direct link to the Eucharist, the central focus of the ...
  61. [61]
    William Burrell, domestic display and “Gothic things” | Home Subjects
    Nov 26, 2019 · Burrell was the single largest lender of art works to the exhibition; loaning a total off 224 objects, only 52 of which were pictures. The ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  62. [62]
    The Burrell Collection - The Burlington Magazine
    The reopening last month of the Burrell Collection, Glasgow, brought to a conclusion an ambitious museum renovation with sustainability at its heart.
  63. [63]
    Burrell at Kelvingrove: Collecting Chinese Treasures - Jorge Welsh
    The Chinese collection containing over 1800 works showcases extraordinary works of porcelain, bronze and jade from the Chinese dynastic periods. They include ...<|separator|>
  64. [64]
    Vase Madness - The Burrell Collection
    The Burrell Collection includes 208 Chinese porcelain vases, many of which are blue-and-white. They could decorate the walls of a whole series of rooms. Qing ...
  65. [65]
    Glasgow Museums Collections Online
    Gifted by Sir William and Lady Burrell to the City of Glasgow, 1944. Collection. Burrell Collection: Chinese Pottery [Stoneware, Porcelain]. ID Number. 38.902.
  66. [66]
    Japan - Glasgow Museums Collections
    In addition, the Burrell Collection has a group of 30 Ukiyoe woodblock prints, dated 1720–1868. Broader term. World Cultures. Narrower term. Japan Ukiyo-e.
  67. [67]
    Burrell Blog: The Warrior at the Top of the Stairs
    Oct 27, 2020 · The original woodblock print of Shoki can be found in The Burrell Collection. Made around 1849-1853, it is one of 37 Japanese woodblock prints ...Missing: art | Show results with:art
  68. [68]
    East Asia in Glasgow and Strathclyde | National Museums Scotland
    The East Asian collections at Glasgow Museums are particularly strong, owing to donations made by Sir William Burrell (1861-1958) and the Meiji Government (1868 ...Glasgow City · Glasgow Museums, Glasgow... · The Hunterian, University Of...Missing: holdings | Show results with:holdings<|separator|>
  69. [69]
    Islamic Carpet Displays - The Burrell Collection
    The Burrell carpets and prayer rugs feature in displays addressing themes such as the hunt in Islamic culture, heavenly gardens and earthly paradise.Missing: holdings | Show results with:holdings
  70. [70]
    Islamic Art in the Burrell Collection | The project «Cultural legacy of ...
    It includes Oriental pile-carpets from the Middle East, Iranian ceramics and metals, Turkish ceramics and textiles, ceramics from Mudejar Spain, and smaller ...
  71. [71]
    Dish - Discover Islamic Art - Virtual Museum
    Since 2003 she has been based at The Burrell Collection in Glasgow, working across the city's museums to interpret Islamic art and culture, ancient and modern, ...
  72. [72]
    Burrell Collection's French show leaves a lasting impression | The ...
    But it's the collector's cache of 19th-century French Impressionist oil paintings and pastels, much of which has not been seen by the public, that has been ...
  73. [73]
    Museums in the United Kingdom with objects from Nimrud - Oracc
    Apr 6, 2021 · The Burrell Collection. Glasgow Museums have several Nimrud objects in their Assyrian and Babylonian collection. One significant artefact is ...
  74. [74]
    Glasgow Museums Collections Online
    Gifted by Sir William and Lady Burrell to the City of Glasgow, 1944. Collection. Burrell Collection: Egyptian Items. ID Number. 13.187. Location. Burrell ...Missing: artifacts | Show results with:artifacts
  75. [75]
    The Burrell Collection acquires important sculpture by Camille Claudel
    Dec 15, 2021 · The Burrell Collection's European bronze sculptures centre around 14 works by Auguste Rodin, a grouping second only in size to the V&A in the UK ...
  76. [76]
  77. [77]
  78. [78]
  79. [79]
    [PDF] report of the spoliation advisory panel in respect of a painting now in ...
    Nov 24, 2004 · Pre-War owners and their heirs should be encouraged to come forward and make known their claims to art that was confiscated by the Nazis and not.<|separator|>
  80. [80]
    Burrell Collection painting ruled part of Nazis&apos; stolen art ...
    Apr 8, 2003 · ONE of Scotland's most renowned art galleries has admitted one of its paintings had been effectively looted by the Nazis in the 1930s and ...
  81. [81]
    Burrell Collection payment over Nazi-looted tapestry - BBC News
    Aug 13, 2015 · Compensation is to be paid after it emerged a piece of Nazi-looted artwork ended up in Glasgow's famous Burrell Collection.
  82. [82]
    Family to be compensated for Burrell Collection Nazi loot
    Aug 18, 2015 · ... claims from individuals or their heirs, who lost possession of a cultural object during the Nazi era that is now in a UK museum or gallery.
  83. [83]
    Glasgow museum mired in Nazi loot row - The Jewish Chronicle
    Mar 31, 2022 · Glasgow museum mired in Nazi loot row. Burrell Collection treasures can be traced to “forced sales” during Adolf Hitler's rise to power. March ...
  84. [84]
    Controversy Over Nazi-Looted Items on Display at Reopened ...
    Mar 31, 2022 · The book “A Collector's Life: William Burrell” claims that artworks in The Burrell Collection, which just completed a nearly $91 million ...Missing: initial delay
  85. [85]
    Glasgow's relaunched Burrell Collection may be unique and much ...
    Aug 30, 2022 · The Burrell museum, home to one of the greatest personal art collections ever bequeathed to the public, reopened in March 2022.
  86. [86]
    The Burrell Collection: inside the award-winning renovation project
    Jul 25, 2023 · Visually, it is a stunning collection, comprising over 9,000 beautiful objects and artworks from three continents, covering 6,000 years.
  87. [87]
    Burrell Collection addresses slave links - The Times
    Jan 24, 2022 · The world-famous Burrell Collection hopes to avoid criticism of its slave-related treasures by placing them at the heart of its revamped ...
  88. [88]
    Glasgow's Burrell Collection to reopen after six-year, £68m ...
    Feb 8, 2022 · One of the best-known personal art collections ever amassed will reopen to the public in Glasgow next month after a six-year refurbishment costing £68m.Missing: delayed | Show results with:delayed
  89. [89]
    [PDF] DECOLONIAL FAMILY TRAIL - The Burrell Collection
    Nov 12, 2024 · During the transatlantic slave trade, 12 million. Africans were taken from their homes and forced to work on plantations to produce goods like ...Missing: connections | Show results with:connections
  90. [90]
    Who was Sir William Burrell? Author on Scotland's famous art collector
    Feb 8, 2022 · He was one of the world's most renowned collectors who donated more than 6,000 artworks to his home town, a collection described by Sir ...
  91. [91]
    The Burrell Collection - Glasgow Life
    The Burrell Collection reopened on 29 March 2022, after a major refurbishment and redisplay. More of the Collection is on show than ever before.Missing: despite | Show results with:despite
  92. [92]
    The Burrell Collection with Disabled Access - Glasgow - Euan's Guide
    Rating 4.5 (3) A free electric shuttle bus runs 7 days, 9.30am-5.30pm in a 20-30 minute loop, linking the park entrance at 2060 Pollokshaws Road to The Burrell Collection and ...Missing: facilities transport links
  93. [93]
    Burrell Collection | Cafe | Coffee | Cakes | Snacks - Benugo
    The cafe is at Pollok Country Park, open 10:00-16:30 Mon-Thurs, 11:00-16:30 Fri-Sun, offering hot/cold drinks, snacks, and outdoor seating.
  94. [94]
    The Burrell Collection, Glasgow – Galleries | VisitScotland
    There are 19 bays specifically marked. Getting here by Public Transport. By Bus: Direct services from Glasgow city centre to: • Pollokshaws Road: routes 57 ...
  95. [95]
    The Burrell Collection - AccessAble - Your Accessibility Guide
    The car park is located near the front of the building, on Knowehead Avenue towards the centre of Pollok Country Park. The car park type is open air/surface.
  96. [96]
    The Burrell Collection welcomes 500000 visits as £19.9 million ...
    Jan 19, 2023 · The Burrell Collection welcomes 500,000 visits as £19.9 million economic benefit for the city is announced · These strong interim results make ...
  97. [97]
    re-engaging the burrell collection with diverse audiences
    When the Burrell Museum re-opened to the public in March 2022 following the £68.25 million refurbishment, around 9,000 objects ranging from one of the most ...
  98. [98]
    [PDF] Glasgow Museums: Bringing Learning to Life Nursery, Primary and ...
    The recently refurbished Burrell Collection, in the heart of Pollok Park, provides an exciting day out for school groups. With more of our collections on ...Missing: post | Show results with:post
  99. [99]
    Events and Activities at The Burrell Collection
    The Burrell Collection offers creative sessions, daily tours, talks, free guided tours, masterclasses, folk sessions, and family-friendly trails.Missing: post 2022