Say you're out for the day; having a wee wander around the West End, a great place to visit is the Hunterian Art Gallery.
As a student on campus, I always walked right past it on my way to the library. Now that I'm a graduate, I found myself instantly drawn to it.
Say it's tiny, yes, I agree, but there's something noble about a museum who picks and chooses the very best to display. Have you heard the story about the Louvre having so many works of art it can't display them all? What a waste of art sitting around in their basement.
Not true for the Hunterian. They have some stunning art there, and in combination with the various trinkets, such as the Whistler display, whereupon they have laid out all of his art materials. Most of us don't focus on the particulars of how and artist does his or her work, and maybe we should. I found it fascinating, especially his instructions on how to paint a portrait.
Some works of note:
'Hector's Farewell to Andromache' (1776), by Gavin Hamilton, which is a wall-sized piece stretching to approximately 10' x13'. Stunning details in it, and you could stare it all day long and still not see everything painted in it.
Or try Christ before Caiphas (c. 1580) by Cambiaso. Excellent use of light in the painting, as the subjects are lit only by candlelight.
If that's not your particular cup of tea, you can always visit the the Mackintosh House, displaying all the finest of Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
The gallery and museum are free entry, but there is an entry fee for the Mackintosh House at £3 (£2 concession; free for students).
Please note that the Art Gallery is in a separate building than the Museum. Check their website for details on how to get to each.
Oh! And when you get there, make sure you look for the door that goes nowhere. read more