Glasgow - Scotland - page 220

Also on the ground floor are recreated interiors of Hutton Castle, a small section on Islamic art, and the Bur-
rell's superb collection of tapestries, which get regularly rotated.
Retrace your steps to the Greek vases, and head up the stairs to the small suite of rooms that make this gallery a
must-see for art-lovers. First up are some wonderful 15th- and 16th-century Flemish paintings, mostly on wood,
and beautifully restored. Rest on the Flight into Egypt stands out here, the title belied by the very European land-
scape in the background.
The rest of this assemblage of art is French. Burrell was an important patron of Edgar Degas, whose series of
ballet paintings, snapshotlike Woman With a Parasol , and masterful portrait of his friend Edmond Duranty are
highlights. A series of Manets showcases his versatility, while Géricault's horses are also to be admired. You can
feel the French summer sun in Alfred Sisley's Church at Noisy-le-Roi; compare it with the more dreamlike land-
scape of Cézanne's almost tropical Château de Médan .
Pleasingly, there's good information provided on each painting and, downstairs, computers where you can
browse the database of the collection.
South Side
The south side is a tangled web of busy roads with a few oases giving relief from the urb-
an congestion. It does, however, contain some excellent attractions.
GALLERY
Burrell Collection
( www.glasgowmuseums.com ; Pollok Country Park; 10am-5pm Mon-Thu & Sat,
11am-5pm Fri & Sun) One of Glasgow's top attractions is the Burrell Collection.
Amassed by wealthy industrialist Sir William Burrell before being donated to the city, it is
housed in an outstanding museum, 3 miles south of the city centre. Burrell collected all
manner of art from his teens to his death at 97, and this idiosyncratic collection of treasure
includes everything from Chinese porcelain and medieval furniture to paintings by Degas
and Cézanne. It's not so big as to be overwhelming, and the stamp of the collector lends
an intriguing coherence.
Visitors will find their own favourite part of this museum, but the exquisite tapestry gal-
leries are outstanding. Intricate stories capturing life in Europe are woven into staggering
wall-size pieces dating from the 13th to 16th centuries.
Within the spectacular interior, carved-stone Romanesque doorways are incorporated
into the structure so you actually walk through them. Floor-to-ceiling windows admit a
flood of light, and enable the surrounding landscape outside to enhance the effect of the
exhibits. It feels as if you're wandering in a huge tranquil greenhouse.
In springtime, it's worth spending a full day here and taking your time wandering in the
beautiful park, studded with flowers. Once part of the estates of Pollok House , which can