At the University of Glasgow, the Hunterian Art Gallery brings together Scottish and international art, from portraits and sculpture to modern works. Look for paintings by Rembrandt and James McNeill Whistler, alongside work by the Glasgow Boys. The gallery’s permanent collection is arranged by theme, and a small sculpture garden adds an outdoor stop. Next door, the Mackintosh House recreates interiors from the home of architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh and his wife Margaret, with original furniture and fittings. Entry to the main gallery is free; the house requires a separate ticket.
Art across two floors
The Hunterian Art Gallery is at the University of Glasgow, at 82 Hillhead Street. Its collection ranges from portraits and prints to drawings, sculpture and modern art. The displays are arranged by theme, giving you a way to move between different subjects and periods rather than follow a single chronological route.
Look out for paintings by Rembrandt and James McNeill Whistler, as well as work by the Glasgow Boys. The gallery holds a substantial collection of Whistler’s work. Its range also includes pieces by artists such as Tintoretto and Auguste Rodin. Some displays use unusual framing, including empty frames, which draw attention to how artworks are presented.
The collection is spread over two floors. There is also a small sculpture garden, so you can step outside between the indoor displays. The gallery is part of the wider Hunterian, whose museums occupy different buildings on the university campus; this venue is specifically the art gallery and Mackintosh House.
The Mackintosh House
The Mackintosh House is a reconstruction of the Glasgow home of architect and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh and his wife, artist and designer Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh. It is beside the gallery and has a separate ticket. Inside, original furniture and fittings show Mackintosh’s approach to domestic interiors as well as his work on buildings and commercial spaces.
Details include original brass lampshades, which were designed to be lit by gas. The house brings together interior design and craftsmanship in a domestic setting, complementing the paintings and sculpture in the gallery. Staff can offer information about individual pieces, including furnishings in the reconstructed rooms.
Planning your visit
The Hunterian Art Gallery is on the University of Glasgow campus in the city’s West End. The main gallery has free admission, while the Mackintosh House requires a separate ticket. The gallery is wheelchair accessible and has a lift. Free lockers are available in the basement, where there are also toilets; a small souvenir shop is on site.
Set aside about two hours if you plan to see both the gallery and the Mackintosh House. A weekday visit can help you avoid busier periods. If you are visiting with children, the gallery has a small area for creative activities. The main gallery and the Mackintosh House are only part of the wider Hunterian collection, which also has venues elsewhere on the university campus.
Häufige Fragen
Is the Hunterian Art Gallery free?
Admission to the main art gallery is free. The Mackintosh House has a separate ticket.
How long should I plan for the Hunterian Art Gallery?
Allow about two hours to visit the art gallery and the Mackintosh House.
What can I see at the Hunterian Art Gallery?
The collection includes paintings by Rembrandt and Whistler, work by the Glasgow Boys, prints, drawings and sculpture. The adjacent Mackintosh House has original furniture and fittings.
Is the Hunterian Art Gallery wheelchair accessible?
The gallery has a wheelchair-accessible entrance and lift.
