Ottawa (Ontario) is wonderfully located to see art. Not only do we have the National Gallery of Canada right here in our city, we’re a day trip from Montreal’s Museum of Fine Arts and an overnighter from Toronto and its venues, including the Art Gallery of Ontario.
I thought I’d highlight a few upcoming exhibitions that have captured my interest. With art by the likes of Picasso, Chihuly, van Gogh and O’Keeffe they promise to deliver!
If you know anyone else in the vicinity who might be interested in this list, please pass it on.
And if you’re not from the area, maybe it’s time to consider a visit?
For your perusing and planning pleasure, by city...
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OTTAWA
National Gallery of Canada
The National Gallery of Canada is a beautiful building and a delight to visit. If you can find a comfy seat in its café, I highly recommend a splurge on a drink or a sweet treat just to sit back and enjoy the view for a while. This summer the Gallery offers a few interesting exhibitions that might be worth the trek downtown:
Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun (“Portraitist to Marie Antoinette“)
June 10 to September 11, 2016
“Discover Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun, a celebrated 18th-century French portraitist who is among the most important female artists of all time. Exploring the life and work of a woman who was not only extraordinarily talented, but also publicity-savvy, this groundbreaking retrospective at the Gallery demonstrates both Vigée Le Brun’s exceptional skill and her ability to carve out a significant career in a man’s world.”
Woman power in the 18th century, yes indeed! This is the last stop for this exhibition so if you’re a fan, now is the time to make it happen.
Picasso: Man and Beast. The Vollard Suite of Prints
April 29 to September 5, 2016
"Considered one of Picasso's printmaking masterworks, The Vollard Suite is a treasure in the national collection. The entire series of 100 prints is now on view in Ottawa for the first time in nearly 60 years."
Though it doesn’t surprise me, I did not know that Picasso was an accomplished print maker. This collection looks fabulous and is for me a must-see.
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MONTREAL
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
The MMFA tends to bring in a lot of big names so I try to keep an eye on what’s coming up. It's where I discovered the bold colours of Fauvist Kees van Dongen and the visual poetry of Symbolist Maurice Denis. The building is impressive as is its collection. It's a perfect destination for a day trip or an overnighter.
Toulouse-Lautrec Illustrates the Belle Époque
June 18 to October 30, 2016
Paris, decadence and debauchery. Need I say more?
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TORONTO
Art Gallery of Ontario
The Art Gallery of Ontario is one of my favourite places to visit in Toronto and it too tends to bring in some big names. These two upcoming exhibitions are case in point:
Mystical Landscapes: Masterpieces from Monet, van Gogh and more
October 22, 2016 to January 29, 2017
“The years between 1880 and 1930 were marked by rampant materialism and rapid urbanization. Disillusioned with traditional religious institutions, many artists across Europe and North America searched for an unmediated spiritual path through mystical experiences. They conveyed their feelings of unity with nature and the cosmos in some of the most famous landscape paintings ever created.”
Monet, van Gogh, mysticism and nature? Yes please!
April 22 to July 30, 2017
A collaboration between the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Tate Modern, the AGO is the only North American stop for this Georgia O’Keeffe retrospective. You might want to start making your travel plans now.
Royal Ontario Museum (a.k.a. the ROM)
June 25, 2016 to January 2, 2017
I’ve never been to the ROM, but I think a Chihuly exhibition might be the perfect prompt to make it happen, yes?
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Next up, List Love #7, the last one.
Missed my previous lists? Voici:
Birthday List Love #1: Favourite Recipes
Birthday List Love #2: Personal Finance Books by Gail Vaz-Oxlade
Birthday List Love #3: Four Female Canadian Artists
Birthday List Love #4: 25 Books I've Enjoyed This Year (So Far)