Burrell treasures go on loan in France and Japan
TWO shipments of artwork from the Burrell Collection which are worth £322million are to be sent to France and Japan.
City councillors are this week expected to agree that 58 works from the collection can be loaned to a museum in Marseille and that 80 can travel to five museums in Japan.
The value of the shipment to France is valued at £180.7m and the Japan consignment at more than £141.8m.
The A-listed Burrell collection, which houses the 9000 piece art collection, has been closed for a £66m renovation.
The project, which aims to improve facilities at the site and expand the display space, is expected to be completed by 2020.
A report to the city council says: “Central to the Burrell Renaissance project is a desire to tour parts of the Burrell Collection while the building is closed for renovations both to raise the profile of the collection and to attract support for the project from both individual donors and corporate sponsors.
“All artworks are conservation assessed as fit to travel and have a full written condition report which is used as a benchmark against which all checks are made during the loan period.
“All works, where appropriate, have been fitted with laminated low reflective glass to provide additional protection while on display.
“Large unglazed works will have a barrier to prevent contact.”
Museum bosses say lending some of the valuable artwork in the collection will raise the profile of the collection internationally through exhibitions, marketing and media coverage.
It will also enhance and promote the city’s local, national and international image and promote Glasgow Museums to an international audience.
The shipment to the Musee Cantini in Marseille, which will be made up of 45 oils and 11 works on paper, has been approved by the Burrell trustees.
It will result in a 50,000 dollar contribution towards the cost of the improvement work at the museum in Pollok Park. The report says: “Glasgow is twinned with Marseilles and the exhibition will further strengthen the relationship between the two cities.
“France is a key market for the tourism plan and we can use the exhibition to promote other activity such as Mackintosh and the 2018 European Championships.”
Councillors will be told the loan to Japan will bring in income through the hire fee and ticket sales and is an opportunity to promote Glasgow to new audiences.