Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum

Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Glasgow, Scotland

Jake Davies

The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is a world-class institution that quite rightly is one of the most visited sites in Glasgow.

Main Hall of the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum with the concert pipe organ built in 1901. — Main Hall of the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum with the concert pipe organ built in 1901

History

Construction began following the 1888 International Exhibition held in Kelvingrove Park and the museum opened in 1901 as the Palace of Fine Arts for the Glasgow International Exhibition of that year.

Built in Spanish Baroque style and designed by Sir John W. Simpson and E.J. Milner Allen, it is constructed, like many of Glasgow's buildings, of red sandstone and features copious sculptural embellishments.

Between 2003 and 2006 the museum underwent extensive renovation and modernization.

Kelvingrove Museum & Art Gallery has a fine collection of medieval arms and armour. — Kelvingrove Museum & Art Gallery has one of the finest collections of medieval arms and armour in the world

Highlights

With more than 9,000 objects in its collection, highlights will be different for different people.

Much of the collection came from the McLellan galleries and the old Kelvingrove House Museum.

Hanging in the West Court above a collection of larger, stuffed animals including an elephant, is a Spitfire that belonged to 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron.

Hanging above the East Court are the eerie white heads of Sophie cave's 2006 installation "Floating Heads". More than 50 white heads, each with a different facial expression, are lit to accentuate the expressions.

Taxidermy

The museum has a huge taxidermy collection of many species including a full-size adult elephant. In the field of ancient history there are objects from ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, including a macabre mummified head from ancient Rome.

The museum also houses one of the best collections of medieval weaponry and armour in the world. In addition, there is a superb collection of European jewelry from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Painting

Probably the most well known painting in the museum is Christ of Saint John of the Cross by Salvador Dali, but the museum also has works by other modern masters such as Van Gogh, Gauguin, Renoir, Monet and Pissarro as well as Old Masters like Rembrandt. The Glasgow School and Scottish Colourists are also well represented.

The museum host various events throughout the year including regular music performances in the main hall.

Floating Heads, an installation of more than 50 heads. — Floating Heads, an installation of more than 50 heads hanging above the East Court of the Kelvingrove Museum & Art Gallery

Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business. — Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business

The museum is in Spanish Baroque style. — The museum is built in Spanish Baroque style and designed by Sir John W. Simpson and E.J. Milner Allen

Access & Hours

Argyle Street
Glasgow G3 8AG
Tel: 0141 276 9599
www: glasgowlife.org.uk

For opening times and free tickets please see the website above.

The closest railway stations are Partick (PTK), Charing Cross (CHC), and Exhibition Centre ( EXG), each about one mile from the museum.

The closest subway station is Kelvinhall about half a mile away. Numerous buses stop directly in front of the museum including the 2, 3, 7, 19, 19A, 23 or 747.

If you wish to stay in Glasgow try the Millennium Hotel Glasgow, with four stars and a fine restaurant.