Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery

Museum and art gallery in Glasgow, Scotland

The main hall of the Hunterian Museum

The Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery is a renowned museum complex located in Glasgow, Scotland. It is part of the University of Glasgow and is one of the leading university museums in the world. The museum was founded in 1807, making it Scotland's oldest public museum. It houses a vast collection of scientific instruments, anatomical and pathological specimens, ethnographic artifacts, coins, and art.

History

The museum is named after William Hunter, a prominent Scottish anatomist and physician. Hunter bequeathed his substantial collection of books, manuscripts, and artifacts to the University of Glasgow upon his death in 1783. This collection formed the basis of the museum.

Portrait of William Hunter, the founder of the museum

The original museum was housed in a specially constructed building on the university's old campus on the High Street. In 1870, the museum moved to its current location on the university's Gilmorehill campus. The museum has undergone several expansions and renovations over the years to accommodate its growing collections and to improve facilities for visitors.

Collections

The Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery is home to a diverse range of collections that reflect the interests and expertise of its founder, William Hunter.

Anatomical and Pathological Specimens

The museum's anatomical and pathological collections are among its most significant. They include specimens collected by Hunter himself, as well as later additions. These collections are used for teaching and research in the fields of medicine and anatomy.

Scientific Instruments

The museum holds an extensive collection of scientific instruments, many of which were used in the university's laboratories. These include early microscopes, telescopes, and other devices that illustrate the history of scientific discovery.

Ethnographic Artifacts

The ethnographic collections include artifacts from various cultures around the world. These items provide insight into the customs, beliefs, and daily lives of different peoples.

Coins and Medals

The numismatic collection is one of the largest in the UK, featuring coins and medals from ancient times to the present. It includes significant holdings of Roman and Greek coins.

Art Collection

The Hunterian Art Gallery

The Hunterian Art Gallery is an integral part of the museum complex. It houses an impressive collection of paintings, prints, and sculptures. The gallery is particularly noted for its holdings of works by James McNeill Whistler, as well as Scottish art from the 18th century to the present.

Exhibitions

The museum regularly hosts temporary exhibitions that showcase different aspects of its collections or explore specific themes. These exhibitions often draw on the expertise of university researchers and provide opportunities for public engagement with current academic work.

The Antonine Wall

Exhibit on the Antonine Wall

The Hunterian Museum features a significant exhibit on the Antonine Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The wall was the northernmost frontier of the Roman Empire in Britain, and the museum's exhibit includes artifacts and information about its construction and use.

Mummy of Lady Shepenhor

The mummy of Lady Shepenhor

One of the museum's most intriguing exhibits is the mummy of Lady Shepenhor, an Egyptian noblewoman. The mummy and its sarcophagus provide valuable insights into ancient Egyptian burial practices and beliefs about the afterlife.

Fossils

Fossils on display

The museum's fossil collection includes specimens from various geological periods, illustrating the diversity of life on Earth over millions of years. These fossils are used for both research and education.

Notable Figures

Portrait of Robert Findlay by Peter Paillou

The museum's history is closely linked with several notable figures, including Robert Findlay, a key benefactor and supporter of the museum's development.

Related Pages

• University of Glasgow
• William Hunter (anatomist)
• James McNeill Whistler
• Antonine Wall