Christ of Saint John of the Cross

Glasgow, 16th August 2017 – Before we leave for Edinburgh, we visit Kelvingrove art gallery and museum. What a stunner! The red building from 1901 was renovated and reopened in 2006. Magnificent exhibition. In the West wing a real 1944 Spitfire is hanging above your head and at first we have difficulty in orientating. After the tour with a volunteer guide, it all becomes clear. There is a logic in the collections, ranging from natural and human history to art. A fine room full of Monet, Gauguin and Renoir and a tribute to Mackintosh and the Glasgow Four. Top of the bill are Rembrandt’s ‘Man in armour’ and Dali’s ‘St John of the Cross’. Dali painted his Christ floating in the sky without nails, blood or thorn crown in 1951. The painting was acquired by the director of the Glasgow Museums in the early fifties for roughly £ 8000. Today its value is enormous.  In 1961 a visitor attacked the painting and badly damaged it. It was successfully restored. Unfortunately, we look at a copy today, as the original is now at an exhibition of Dali/Duchamp in London, opening 7th October. At 1 pm we sit down for the daily organ concert, yes there is a huge organ in Kelvingrove! The entry hall fills up with visitors and together with them we listen to Purcell, Lloyd-Webber and Handel, but also to ‘Angels’ from Robbie Williams. Glasgow, I love you.

Want to know more about Saint John of the Cross? Click below:

Detail from Saint John of the Cross (website Glasgowlife)

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