The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery and Museum

The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery and Museum offers a fascinating insight into Dundee. "Originally known as the ‘Albert Institute for Literature, Science and Art’, it was built as a memorial to Prince Albert, the greatest cultural champion of his age. The building was constructed in three stages - the Public Library (1865-67) was followed by the Art Gallery and Museum (1871-73) and finally the Victoria Galleries were added in 1889. Access into the building was through the magnificent external staircase on the east side of Albert Square. In 1984 the refurbished museum was renamed after Lord Provost Maurice McManus, who served from 1960-67." 

Taxidermied animals including a deer and boar
PHOTOGRAPH BY Maria Robertson

The McManus has 8 galleries to explore, some of which vary through time. The first is What is a Museum, which celebrates Dundee's status as a UNESCO City of Design. Next is Landscapers and Lives which looks at the animals of the area through the years, various taxidermic beasts feature here. Making of Modern Dundee looks at the influences from 1850 onward, covering shopping and the two world wars. Dundee and the World looks at the international cultures which have affected the city, this is housed in the stunning Albert hall with stained glass windows and a wooden ceiling. Next up is the Long Gallery with a collection of studio ceramics, followed by the Victoria Gallery with Dundee's historic Scottish oil paintings. The 20th Century Gallery showcases more modern art and then the Here and Now is a temporary exhibition. Currently its focuses on This Just In - Recent Additions to the Collections. This is a great section for if you have been before and just want to catch up on more recent items added to the collection.

Albert Hall's wooden ceiling and stained glass windows
PHOTOGRAPH BY Maria Robertson
Modern art gallery
PHOTOGRAPH BY Maria Robertson

When I was in some of the highlights were a display about Snow Patrol, which includes a special edition CD which I actually own, and a focus on computer games which included Lemmings, which I used to play on my Amiga as a teenager! I loved the noises they made, great game! So weird to see things from my lifetime in a museum, as you always think they are full of things from "the past" but my earlier years are definitely in the past! A previous visit they had a special Dennis the Menace exhibition - they even renamed the museum the McMenace for it! We had a great time dressing up as Dennis and posing with the various Bash Street Kids photo opportunities.

Lemmings Placard
PHOTOGRAPH BY Maria Robertson
Model of an old building
PHOTOGRAPH BY Maria Robertson

If you are in Dundee, this is a free museum well worth a visit. It is easy to spend a few hours looking around the well laid out, and labelled exhibits. Staff are friendly and happy to answer questions too, and the gift shop has some interesting options.

Further information: https://www.mcmanus.co.uk/

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Maria Robertson

Maria Robertson is an academic librarian by day and a concert reviewer by night, she also loves spending time with her family and they all enjoy visiting museums. Reviews published at: https://www.5d-blog.com/?s=maria+robertson