Kelvingrove Art Gallery, Glasgow

We’ve observed recently that a few of the British museum’s we’ve visited were hodge-podge collections of art and history (sometimes with a little science thrown in), so when we put Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Art Gallery on our to-see list we thought (given the name) we’d be in to see art. We were correct in that regard, but the Kelvingrove still has a good dose of other stuff to see. To their credit, the collection is arranged by theme, similar to the Tate Modern in London, giving some continuity to the diverse collection.

The Kelvingrove’s signature piece is Salvador Dali’s “Christ of Saint John of the Cross”. It’s a mesmerizing depiction of the crucifixion depicting Christ from above, floating–in typical Dali style–above a weird landscape. It was done during his later religious period after he returned to the church and acquired by the Kelvingrove at great expense and controversy.

Another notable piece at the Kelvingrove is by a much less known artist (compared to Dali) named Giuseppe Baldan. He was a prisoner of war during World War II and painted a Madonna scene on old flour bags for the benefit of himself and his other prisoners. It’s a testament not only to faith enduring under the most dire circumstances, but also to artistic ingenuity.

Down in the natural history collection, amidst dinosaur bones, is a taxidermied elephant. Sir Roger the Elephant traveled England in the late 1800’s, delighting children and adults alike until he entered puberty and became too aggressive. Unfortunately he had to be put down and now he’s on display at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery.