Leading wealth management firm becomes latest backer for The Burrell Collection
One of the UK’s leading wealth management firms, Brewin Dolphin, has agreed support for The Burrell Collection, which reopens in Glasgow on Tuesday 29 March 2022.
Glasgow Life, the charity which manages The Burrell Collection on behalf of Glasgow City Council, has confirmed the agreement will run for three years.
The five-figure sum supports the refurbishment and redisplay of one of the greatest global art collections ever amassed by one person.
The Burrell Collection in Glasgow is a unique compilation of some of the world’s greatest cultural and historical treasures, all housed in one of the UK’s most diverse cities. The collection is testament to Sir William Burrell’s knowledge of art and his timely investment in some amazing pieces. We are delighted to support this collection.
Sir William Burrell’s gift of his collection to the city is one of the greatest acts of philanthropy ever in Glasgow. His exceptional taste and skill as a collector is on display throughout The Burrell Collection when it reopens in March 2022. Brewin Dolphin’s support for this project helps more people understand this unrivalled collecting achievement and legacy.
Nearly half of the funding for the £68.25 million project was committed by Glasgow City Council with significant contributions from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Scottish Government, the UK Government, and from many generous trusts and private donors.
As the world recovers from Covid-19, The Burrell is a reminder of culture’s contribution to the vibrancy and international appeal of Glasgow.
The first opening of The Burrell in 1983 was one of the first demonstrations of Glasgow’s commitment to cultural-led regeneration. By harnessing the power of its incredible cultural draw, Glasgow has positioned itself as one of the world’s great cultural and creative cities, making it a must-visit destination.
On reopening, the museum’s gallery space will have increased by 35%, allowing important and unique objects from the Collection, which have not been seen for decades, or have never been on permanent display, to go on show. New displays will give visitors a better understanding of the artworks, the people who made them and some of the people who have owned them.
Since The Burrell Collection closed to the public in October 2016, a comprehensive consulation programme has engaged with more than 15,000 local people, giving ideas, insights and opinions which have shaped every aspect of the redesign of the building, access to it and the development of the new displays, galleries and spaces within and around the museum.
Sir William Burrell devoted more than 75 years of his life to amassing one of the world’s greatest, single personal collections, renowned for its quality of Chinese art, exquisite stained glass, intricate tapestries and breadth of fine art.
The gift of The Collection to the city was described at the time as: “One of the greatest gifts ever made to any city in the world.” (Sir Hector Hetherington, Principal of Glasgow University).
Highlights include Chinese pottery and porcelain produced over a 5,000-year period, making it one of the most significant collections of Chinese Art in Europe; paintings by renowned French artists including Manet, Cézanne and Degas; Medieval treasures including stained glass, arms and armour and over 200 tapestries and carpets, which are among the finest in the world.
The Collection is also home to the Wagner Garden carpet which is one of the three earliest surviving Persian garden carpets in the world, and has rarely been on public display since The Burrell Collection opened, but the refurbishment and redisplay means it will be on permanent display accompanied by new and innovative methods of interpretation.