The Glasgow Art Club opens its doors to non-members too. What art you can see there, and when a visit might be worthwhile, is covered here.
They gaze down sternly. A circle of old gentlemen with grey beards and cigars in hand. The patriarchy still seems intact here at the Glasgow Art Club – were it not for her. The one picture that quite naturally steals the show from the men with charm and intelligence.
A woman in uniform. Cheerful, alert – looking down on the dining guests at the table with none of that old-fashioned, sullen air. Here, in this picture, you can feel the pull that art can exert.
And there’s hardly a better place than the Glasgow Art Club to demonstrate this. Because that has always been, and still is, one of this society’s tasks: to support young artists, and to give art lovers around the world a chance to take part in that.
The proof of this is the painting of the lady in uniform: Lance Corporal Margot Millen of the Australian Ambulance Corps. She was a guest at the Glasgow Arts Club during one of the two World Wars, where Hugh Adam Crawford immortalised the soldier in oil on canvas.
The Art Club also exchanges ideas with other clubs. Still, “club” sounds like a closed society. That’s true in itself, and yet non-members can enjoy the artworks too. Because every Tuesday there’s a guided tour through the building. And it’s worth it for more than just the paintings.
Because of course one of Glasgow’s most famous artists has also left his mark here. Charles Rennie Mackintosh was commissioned in 1893, as a draughtsman, to design the new clubhouse. It was one of his first major commissions. He decorated the building’s grand gallery with a ceiling frieze, which can now be admired in restored condition.
The handles of the swing door leading to the salon are also thought to have come from Glasgow’s wonder architect and designer.
Several of Mackintosh’s sketches can be seen on the upper floor.
Of course, the Glasgow Art Club shouldn’t be reduced to this one person. There are many interesting works here from former club members. The archive also holds sketches and writings, such as these by Arthur Hassall.
So, the verdict: anyone interested in art and/or Charles Rennie Mackintosh will find the Glasgow Art Club an inspiring place, even if it’s not quite as easily accessible as a regular museum. Still, visitors can join a tour on Tuesdays. There are also public and free exhibitions. More can be found on the website.
Know-how: Glasgow Art Club and Charles Rennie Mackintosh
In 2017, the Glasgow Arts Club celebrated its 150th anniversary. After its founding in 1867, it was housed in various locations – including hotels. All its premises soon became too small and no longer suitable, so in 1892 the board finally decided to combine the two houses at 187 and 191 Bath Street into one, and to add a gallery behind them.
The club entrusted the renovations to John Keppie, who was himself also a member. In his architecture practice “Honeyman and Keppie”, the young Charles Rennie Mackintosh also worked. But not everything can be attributed to the famous artist. It can only be assumed, for instance, that parts of the fireplace facades in the gallery are also by Mackintosh.
Many interior designs, such as parts of the gallery doors, appear in a very similar form in one of Mackintosh’s sketchbooks, which he had kept on his travels the year before.
In the end, it’s certain that some designs for the Glasgow Art Club came from Charles Rennie Mackintosh. What’s uncertain, however, is exactly how many.
Personal note: One painting cast a spell over me
You’ve probably already noticed: the painting of Margot Millen captivated me. Among all these old gentlemen, her expression and the poise of her arms feel so fresh and self-assured that, to my eyes, she quite steals the charm from all the other paintings.
I also really liked the lampshade in the staircase.
Getting there:
The Glasgow Arts Club is located in the centre of Glasgow and can easily be reached on foot. From Queen Street Station, Bath Street runs westward. The walk to number 185 takes around ten minutes and is about 800 metres long.
