The Burrell Burger and other works of art
January 29, 2023, 3:51 pm , by Richard Lutz
RICHARD LUTZ heads off to a new museum..and has a bite to eat
Hold on. Be with you in a second….mouth is full.
Sorry, just finishing my Burrell Burger. It comes with streaky bacon, red onion, mayo, cheese (melted) and a pickle. Also a side of French fries. It’s all glazed in a spicey sauce.
My dinner is named after mega art collector William Burrell (seen above) who, in his day, vied with Hearst and Rockefeller in vacuuming up art in the early 20thc. He ultimately gave all 9000 pieces of his treasure to his native Glasgow. And the city fathers followed suit and named a museum after him to showcase the collection to the world.
So what better way to pay tribute to this cultural philanthropist than for the burghers to name a burger after him?
But with or without the slap-up meal, Burrell’s reputation lives in his medieval stained glass, Impressionist masterpieces, Egyptian statuary, Ming artefacts and the gothic stone arches he once owned. And somehow I can see Sir William (knighted in 1932) patrolling his collection, examining the Degas, relishing the Islamic tiles, musing over the 200 tapestries he gathered in. But, honestly, I think not really partaking in the joys of that juicy Burrell Burger in this free museum, this building of light and air, its roots dug into parkland amid the greenery of a city park.
Though I’m sure Sir William, ultimately, would be delighted to know he’s gone down in history as giving his name to a garnished piece of meat. Or, as we say these days, a standard burger with fries.
All for £10.50. Unless you add a dab of Scottish haggis. That’s an extra £1.50.
Anyway, here are some things you can see in The Burrell Collection:
15thc stained glass:
Rembrandt, self portrait at 26:
Medieval tapestries:
3000 year old Egyptian statues:
Chinese tomb guardian:
A bit of Cezanne:
a new building nestling by woodland:
And, of course, that Burrell Burger (with or without spicey sauce):
A footnote: never one to stop paying tribute to the man who gave Glasgow so much, the museum is also offering The Burrell Ice Cream Sundae. It comes with all the fixings to complement your Burrell burger.
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Lorna C / Ayrshire
I definitely need to pay the re-opened Burrell a visit one of these days.
Bob/Seattle
Nice wordplay.
Cesar
The B Burger indeed🍔
Gareth Slade
Beautiful place
Bella Houston
Amazing to have a burger and sundae named after you. The collection is great.
PG
More cultural insights into Scotland’s biggest city
Martin
At least it’s not a deep fried Burrell bar…
Laurel R/Arizona
you are making Glasgow look so tempting.
Jo Philips
What a co-incidence. My Mum subscribes to Homes and Antiques and then passes them on to me.
Yesterday she gave me February’s edition and in it was an article by Laura Bauld, curator of the Burrell Collection. There was a full page spread of a recently conserved 18th century glass epergne,noted for its sparkling beauty and links to sugar and slavery. It certainly looks very fancy, not sure how tall it actually is. But it would sit on the dining table and off its tall glass pole there were bowls in which sugar candies and delicacies were tempting for you to eat between the courses of the dinner. I believe they had 410 pieces of table glass, so glad they left everything to the city where everyone can enjoy.
Annie T
Yet another reason to head out to Scotland.
Will Travel
Got to get up to Glasgow from Birmingham for the Burrell Burger
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