Hunterian Art Gallery and The Mackintosh House to re-open on 15 September 2012

Published: 3 July 2012

The Hunterian Art Gallery re-opens to the public this month following extensive refurbishment. This major overhaul has allowed a complete redisplay of the permanent collection, significantly increasing the number of works on show.

The Hunterian Art Gallery re-opens to the public this month following extensive refurbishment. This major overhaul has allowed a complete redisplay of the permanent collection, significantly increasing the number of works on show.

The Gallery houses the University’s internationally important art collection, which includes the exceptional 18th century picture cabinet of our founder, Dr William Hunter, outstanding Old Masters, major paintings by James McNeill Whistler, and a rich holding of Scottish art from the 18th century to the present.

The new displays give prominence to these key groups of works and feature some new aspects including a spotlight selection which highlights some important new acquisitions made over the last few years.

Improved on site and online interpretation will range from conventional text panels and labels to QR codes linking to new web pages containing additional in-depth content.

These improvements will enhance the visitor experience, making this world class collection more accessible to a wider audience, and allowing further enjoyment and understanding.

The Hunterian Art Gallery also features The Mackintosh House, one of Glasgow's most popular tourist attractions. Both the Hunterian Art Gallery and The Mackintosh House re-open to the public on 15 September with a new major exhibition dedicated to Rembrandt and a smaller in-focus display dedicated to John and Alexander Runciman, two of the most talented 18th century Scottish artists.

From 15 September, admission to The Mackintosh House will be free and by guided tour. The regular programme of tours will run throughout the day from 10.00am until 4.00pm and will last approximately 30 minutes each.

Visitors can expect a different look and feel to the Hunterian Art Gallery, as well as improved access to a range of quality works by leading artists that can’t be seen anywhere else in Scotland.


The Hunterian

Founded in 1807, The Hunterian is Scotland's oldest public museum and home to one of the largest collections outside the National Museums. The Hunterian is one of the leading university museums in the UK and its collections have been Recognised as a Collection of National Significance. It is one of Scotland’s most important cultural assets.

Built on Dr William Hunter’s founding bequest, The Hunterian collections include scientific instruments used by James Watt, Joseph Lister and Lord Kelvin; outstanding Roman artefacts from the Antonine Wall; major natural and life sciences holdings; Hunter’s own extensive anatomical teaching collection; one of the world’s greatest numismatic collections; impressive ethnographic objects from Captain Cook’s Pacific voyages and a major art collection.

The Hunterian is also home to the world’s largest permanent display of the work of James McNeill Whistler, the largest single holding of the work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and The Mackintosh House, the reassembled interiors from his Glasgow home.

The Hunterian continues in its Age on Enlightenment mission to be a central resource for research and teaching in the arts, humanities and natural and medical sciences, attracting scholars and visitors from around the world

First published: 3 July 2012