Kelvingrove Museum & Art Gallery

strungout

18th June 2009

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An amazing place to lose yourself in. Full of amazing treasures and art works - not least Dali's 'Christ of St. john of the Cross.

adsie

Wonderfully done 7th January 2009

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Recently renovated, this landmark red sandstone building is set dramatically beside the River Kelvin below the equally impressive Glasgow University. Enjoy a wander around the park too!

Inside is a diverse collection of art, ethnography, natural history, design - what stands out is the way objects have been put together by a loose theme rather than a genre. So instead of endless cabinets of identical dusty pottery you get a Flemish seascape next to a 16th century decorated pistol; you get a Spitfire suspended over an Indian elephant.

You also get really useful guides to specific materials - discretely done so as not to be patronising or excessively high brow.

Highlights are the Christ of St John of the Cross by Dali, the Armed man by Rembrandt, the Ceratosaur, the Hogsback stones.

Restaurant is also recommended.

ident7

A great day out for all the family 21st September 2008

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I’ve taken my niece and nephew to the Kelvingrove museum many times. Along with the Transport Museum across the road it makes a great day out.

It’s so big you probably need many visits to take it all in. The kids are particularly impressed with the (probably hundreds) of stuffed animals that the museum has because of its age (I’m sure they’d never get away with having stuffed animals that were killed and donated recently). My nephew wants me to take him again despite the fact that last time he got bored very quickly he’s been so many times – but right now all he can think about is all the animals he saw, the dinosaur skeletons, and the creepy crawlies in their cases.

On criticism of the museum I would make is that it has many interactive displays for children to use and these are usually broken. Personally I think it’s better not to have interactive elements if you are not willing to maintain them yet I imagine it must be an absolute nightmare when bits go missing to replace them.

Despite this I still have no hesitation in giving Kelvingrove 5 stars.

jamtart6

17th September 2008

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You could easily spend a whole day in here, but sadly we only had a few hours. When it said "Art gallery" I was hugely put off but hey it was FREE and I'm open minded! A large part is an art gallery but it was quite interesting as it showed how canvasses were re-used in the past and different techniques for cleaning up old canvas, so that was good.

There is a major display of animals from the Pleistocene and ahuge plane suspended from the ceilling. Loads and loads and loads of fossils, birds, stuffed animals, etc. and possibly a display on Egypt although I could have that mixed up with somewhere else!!

Worth the visit! Also has a nice cafe!

Lin

Another favourite 12th September 2008

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Since it reopened the Kelvingrove has rightfully become once again a favourite museum for Glasgow people and visitors alike. Lots to do and see for us as a family the favourites are the somewhat gruesome stuffed animal area including a huge elephant over which a small wartime plane is suspended mid air. Another fab bit for families is the interactive kids area with delights such as huge shoes and props for children to try on. You can stop off for a coffee in the cafe upstairs in the main hall or downstairs where there is a lovely restaurant serving fantastic hot and cold food.

SidTrusted

Check out the bees 11th September 2008

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We've spent many an afternoon at Kelvingrove - Dali's ab fabulous Crucifixion - the hanging heads, with many expressions and featured on various psych text books - lots of interactives for the kids. Especially brilliant when the organ recitals are underway. Wash it all down with coffee, cake or even lunch in the rather nice KG cafe - especially the conservatory type area. Best of all at the moment - check out the see through beehive - and watch the bees coming and going through a small tube to the outside.

Promethea

Better than ever 3rd September 2008

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Great museum which recently reopened after a major refurbishment and is now one of the most popular attractions in Britain. Its most commercial success since then was the Kylie Minogue exhibition, although personally I found it quite boring as it was mostly gold discs, old pictures of her, as well as a few dresses on dummies. Don't forget to check out the fantastic St John Of The Cross by Dali, which has returned from its travels to St Mungo's Museum of Religion. This incredible painting must be seen from both across the corridor and also up close to get the full impact.

Layclerk

The best in Scotland 12th October 2007

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Quite simply the best art gallery and museum in Scotland. Tremendously tacky Victorian building (in a nice way) and stuffed full of all sorts of stuff, from Salvador Dali's "Christ of St John of the Cross" (my absolute favourite piece of art) through a real Spitfire hanging from the roof, to (at the time of writing this) an exhibition of Kylie's stage costumes (she really is tiny!)