Detailed review by yankin
yankin(28)
Birmingham, United Kingdom99%
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery opened its doors in 1885. Its collection includes Pre-Raphaelite Art, collection of paintings from the 14th to the 21st century, the largest collection of works by Edward Burne-Jones in the world and collection of antiques.
My visit to the BMAG started at the main entrance at Chamberlain Square. I was very much impressed with the interior once I stepped inside, especially the mosaic pattern on the floor and columns. Up to the stairs and the art gallery begins with the ROUND ROOM. Here it is possible to take a free audio guide, sit down and enjoy the art. However, the audio guide is intended only for the round room.
Don't turn into the shop after the round room, you would like to leave it for later, I promise! So now each hall/room has a number and inscription. Following the hall 8, you will get to the room with the information desk. Now turn to the right to enter the art gallery.
The FINE ART gallery is made that way that the room you started you will reach at the end again. Each hall is painted in different colours, some of them includes benches and interactive stations for children. I didn't find the Pre-Raphaelite art impressive, no, rather boring. But, for example, collection by Edward Burne-Jones and 17th century, medieval&Reinaissance art is definitely a must to see.
In room 22 stands an impressive organ clock of 1735. My favorite was a portrait of a woman by Nicolaes Eliasz in room 24, which may not impress you at all. Another interesting piece of art was in room 25 - painting by Luca Carlevaris "The arrival of the 4th Earl of Manchester in Venice". There was a navigation map of Europe from 1528 displayed in room 26, as well as "Noli Me Tangere, Donors in the Wings" by Jan van Scorel and "Christ as the Man of Sorrows" by Petrus Christus.
Remarkable room 14 is devoted to EDWARD BURNE-JOHES. Here are displayed "The story of troy" and "The star of Bethlehem". This room also includes a grand piano (1880-81), made of oak with gesso decoration in relief, gilded. And a Hesperides Cassone with gilt gesso and print on wood.
Rooms 13 and 12 will tell and show how art is made. Sections are devoted to bronze medallions, paintings, print making, wood carving, jewellery, ceramics and textile art. It is definitely exiting for all ages!
Downstairs is situated a GAS HALL EXHIBITION GALLERY, which was devoted to art and photography at my presence. Anyway, it wasn't permanent, so I would not concentrate on it.
Upstairs, on the third floor was THE BULL RING GALLERY, WOODWORK and THE PINTO COLLECTION (40-42). They are small but include something for children. The part of the museum from 39-37 was not kept very well and is colder and darker, and for some reason, it feels like you are in the wrong part of the museum. But then again, you enter the room 36, and it feels right.
I personally found ANCIENT EGYPT and GREEKS, ROMANS & THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST the most interesting. These were situated in rooms 34 and 32. In the glass showcases were displayed mummies of people and animals, mosaic images on the stones and other items from the past, which were supplied with very informative captions.
It was a good walk around to get pretty hungry, is it? So now it is time to go back to the round room and enter the shop. At the very end of the hall, behind the room devoted to Buddha is situated the RESTAURANT. It is a self service restaurant, where you will find hot food, snack, deserts and drinks. The atmosphere is very cosy and the choice&price is good!
Now that you have energy again, there are still undiscovered parts of the museum. For example, the BUDDHA GALLERY, which contains a sculpture from as early as 2nd century! The big hall afterwards is the INDUSTRIAL GALLERY, which includes ceramics, glass&stained glass pottery, porcelain vases and, etc... Collection is obviously interesting, but the hall is more! My attention attracted the staircase, which looked quite impressive against a background of the interior. The light was coming through the glass ceiling and the whole appearance should be rather described as a palace.
Upstairs was CERAMICS GALLERY, which included English, German, Italian, French, Dutch porcelain and pottery from 18-20th centuries. Again an impressive collection of English manufacturers. Then further were JEWELLERY, SILVERWARE & METALWORK. In the SHOP it is possible to find a postcard, book, poster or toys.
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery7
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In general the museum is huge, and it took about 5 hours to visit every room and hall in the building. At the end it is tiresome, but I would suggest it because of the impressive art collection and the interior.
BMAG includes cloakroom, information, lift, toilets on each level, baby changing and disabled facilities. The entrance for disabled and people with buggies is situated just around the corner from the main entrance. The entrance is free and there are also guided tours on Saturdays, Sundays and Thursdays, which can be precise at the reception. And situated in the center of Birmingham, makes it easy to approach.
