Discovering Degas: Collecting in the Time of William Burrell

Join us for this international exhibition celebrating one of the most-loved Impressionist artists, Edgar Degas, opening 24 May until 30 September 2024.

The exhibition will bring together around 30 works on loan from leading national and international collections, with Sir William Burrell’s outstanding collection of more than 20 works by the artist.

The loaned works include beautiful examples of Degas’ pastels and bronze figures from collections like the Musee d’Orsay in Paris, Tate London and the Courtauld Institute, also in London.

Sir William Burrell and his wife Constance, Lady Burrell were amongst the earliest Scottish collectors to buy art by Degas. Over a 40-year collecting period the Burrells bought over 20 pieces, far more than any other UK collector and spanning the artist’s entire career.

As well as bringing together some of the finest examples of Degas' work, the exhibition will explore the Burrells’ collecting through fascinating letters and other archival material, positioning them in the context of other British collectors at the time. Like the Burrells, many other collectors began to appreciate Degas’ incredible talent for capturing subjects like the ballet, racehorses, and scenes of modern life during the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Book tickets now at burrellcollection.com