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 The magnificent Kelvingrove Museum was the highlight of 1901 Exhibition.

Clare and I chatted about the popular  myth in Glasgow that the building was built the wrong way round and the architect jumped of the top when  he realised his mistake.

This  is just  a myth the people of Glasgow love to tell tourists.  As you can see in the first photograph the grand entrance is facing the  park.  This was the way it was aways planned for the great Exhibition of 1901.

 Here is a photograph of the front of the Museum facing the Kelvingrove Park or is it the back because most people enter by the main street.  I will let you make your own mind up.  The Red sandstone came from Dumfries. The buiding was designed  by John Simpson and E J Milner Allen.

St Mungo the patron saint of Glasgow at the Park entrance.

It`s not just outside that`s stunning.  Look at the magnificent staircase. 

Clare informed me that a lot of the artwork had came from McLellan Galleries and from the old Kelvingrove house museum in the park.  There is so much to see up and downstairs.  A lot of visitors don`t realize how lucky Glasgow is to have such a collection of art  and all displayed in the one building.

Wander up stairs and see the wonderful art on display.

 Enough about the building.  So what`s to see?  It was  great to have Clare around with her vast knowledge of art.  I told her that my knowledge of art was next to nothing but I was a willing student.  Let`s start with my favourite painting.

  If you have only a short time in the gallery this is the painting you must view .

Christ of St John on the Cross by Salvador Dali.  Clare said Glasgow had bought the painting in 1952 at a cost of £ 8,200. Which was a hugh chunk of the city`s art budget.

The copyright was also bought from Dali. Great forward thinking .

I learned that the background landscape was of Port-Lligat in Spain. Where Dali  lived.  

If you look  close at Dali`s master piece you notice the body is not tied to the cross .

The question is why did Salvador paint it this way ?H

Dali was  keen to represent perfection - which is why he used Russell Saunders and didn't include the crown of thorns,nails etc.

The Spanish Government are said to have offered 80 million pounds.

This was knocked back.

The art collection in Kelvingrove is one of the best in the world. For me to tell you about every painting would be impossible.  Here`s my favourites.