I love this view of Kelvingrove emerging from the trees, it almost looks like a fairy tale palace. Last week, we looked down on it from Glasgow University – this week, we could look up at the Uni from the gallery. Two very handsome buildings!

Our visit to Kelvingrove today was to see the new exhibition, The Essence of Beauty: 500 years of Italian Art. This displays about 40 of Glasgow’s collection of over 150 Italian works from the 14th to the 19th centuries, most of which where bequeathed to the city by Archibald McLellan in 1854. I loved it, and agree with Cate Devine’s review in the Herald that:
“One of the highlights – perhaps even the jewel in the crown – is presented early on. The Adoration of the Magi, painted in the 16th century by an unknown painter now known as the Glasgow Master, has had its coat of brown varnish removed and now its blues and reds and golds glow – the wise men’s crowns in particular almost 3D in their clarity.”
This is particularly fascinating, because you can watch a short time lapse video of the restoration and see the painting emerge from the shadows into its full glory.

Of course, being Glasgow, there had to be one dissenter from the general praise in the visitors’ book who opined that the exhibition wasn’t worth £5 because you could see better in Rome for nothing. And being Glasgow, future visitors did not hesitate to point out the cost of the air fare and hotel bill you would need to pay to get there. Personally, I thought it was wonderful and well worth the money. The exhibition runs till August so plenty time to see it.

When we went upstairs to the rest of the gallery, one of the regular organ recitals was underway and it was lovely to wander round with the music in the background. In this view of the interior, the organ is on the right:

I love the exhibition of heads that hangs over one of the staircases. They look quite sinister here:

Every time, I spot some different expressions. I’ve decided this one is my favourite:

The final thing we looked at was a small exhibition about Anne Frank, mounted by Anne Frank Scotland, which only runs till April 17th but you can request it for your own organisation. No matter how many times I read about this, it still feels unbelievable that it could happen so it’s important to tell the story again and again.

Other things that happened today – it took us forever to cross Great Western Road for the very worthy reason that we had to wait for hundreds of bikers to pass on the annual Yorkhill Easter Egg Run which raises money for the local children’s hospital. Some of them certainly dress up for the occasion:

And it wouldn’t be a Marsh outing without food, would it? A very nice roast lunch (nut for me, pork for him) was consumed in the Curlers. This has been a very enjoyable Easter Sunday which almost makes up for having to work tomorrow!