21 May 2007
Aberdeen Art Gallery
Posted by Alison under: Art; History; Places to go .
Some of you may already know of my addiction to all things Victorian. This includes art, like the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.
Over the weekend, I finally managed to stagger into town and the Aberdeen Art Gallery. I was pleasantly surprised with the building it is housed in. I think it was built in 1885, and has wonderful ceilings, sweeping staircases and balconies. Reminded me a little of the National Gallery in London, which I’ve been to a number of times.
Why visit now, you may or may not ask? Well I discovered that it housed some of John William Waterhouse’s paintings, and I’m on a mission to visit as many of those in or associated with the PRB around the country.
However, there is a BUT coming on…whatever was originally house here is mostly gone. To a person who adores history like I do, that is a death to this kind of place. Although the interior is mostly still there, it is taken up with huge amounts of modern art. I don’t have anything against it, but it just doesn’t work here at all. My precious paintings? Housed in 2 rooms, with the original or very close to it, setting. How amazing this gallery must have been back in 1885.
Wish I could have seen it.
Top: Penelope by John William Waterhouse
Bottom: Mariana by Dante Gabriel Rossetti
Both can be viewed at the Aberdeen Art Gallery.
6 Comments so far...
Melissa Says:
22 May 2007 at 5:28 am.
My mom gave me a John Waterhouse calendar for Christmas, and I love it. Beautiful pictures. If we make it there, we’ll have to include a visit to the Aberdeen Art Gallery. Thanks for the heads-up!
Alison Says:
22 May 2007 at 7:34 am.
Waterhouse is one of my favourites Melissa.
There’s only a couple here however. I’d recommend the Tate Gallery in London for more.
Blog Drive-Bys for 2007-05-22 - Untwisted Vortex - Living in a Different Land Says:
22 May 2007 at 11:09 am.
[...] knows good art when she sees it. She posted some pictures from the Aberdeen Art Gallery on her Eleanorblog that showed up fine on the feed reader. You know, I have never been to an art gallery. I’ve [...]
Sherry (Redbud) Says:
23 May 2007 at 8:35 pm.
I love Waterhouse, too. It looks like Aberdeen needs an Museum of Modern Art so both the old and the new can be enjoyed.
Alison Says:
23 May 2007 at 8:44 pm.
Good idea Sherry, might be too late though, I have no idea what has happened to the other art that must have originally been there.
Kathryn Says:
26 May 2007 at 5:46 pm.
You do have good taste!
Got a big one one of these in my bedroom, only a print of course, wish i could afford the real thing!!beautiful any-how!
I belive the one ive got is called; La Belle Dame Sans Merci. Very pretty
