The Burrell Collection displays objects from Europe and Asia representing five millennia of art and history. The focus is on late medieval and early Renaissance Europe but the collection also contains important examples of Chinese and Islamic art, artefacts from ancient civilisations and collections of fine art.

The collection was amassed by Glasgow shipping magnate Sir William Burrell and given by him and his wife to the City of Glasgow in 1944. It is displayed in an award-winning building located in a beautiful woodland setting. The museum includes reconstructions of rooms from Sir William’s former home.

William Burrell (1861–1958) was interested in contemporary art. His first purchases were of Scottish, French and Dutch late 19th century art. Particular passions were the Parisian artists Manet and Degas, the sculptor Rodin and the Hague School artists Anton Mauve and Matthijs Maris. His European paintings collection also includes a Bellini ‘Madonna and Child’ and a self-portrait by Rembrandt.

The Burrell Collection will reopen in 2021. A selection of works from the Burrell is shown at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.