Tuesday, August 11, 2026

Morning Star

 Coming out of the temporary exhibit brings us to one level up from the Grand Hall. Looking up, I took in this view of Morning Star.


This massive mural is by the Dene artist Alex Janvier, full of Indigenous symbolism. It covers one dome high over the hall, and is my favourite work of art in the national capital region. Down below, seats are placed for the visitor to gaze up at the painting.


Here we have Spirit Of Haida Gwaii, the plaster version of the sculpture by Haida artist Bill Reid. Two other versions, in bronze, reside at the Canadian embassy in Washington, and at the airport in Vancouver.


The Grand Hall is filled with totem poles and the facades of Pacific Coast houses. It is a wonderful place to spend time in the Museum of History.


Just outside in the reflecting pool sits this sculpture by Mary Anne Barkhouse. Titled 'namaxsala (To Travel In A Boat Together), it is drawn from a story told by her grandfather of providing a wolf safe passage across treacherous waters.


I spent time among the totems. While I didn't want to attend the permanent galleries on this visit, no trip to this museum is complete without a stop in here.

Monday, August 10, 2026

Laurentian Village

 Today we begin with River Thaw, by Clarence Gagnon, painted between 1908-13.


Snow, Canada was painted by James Wilson Morrice around 1905.


He also painted The End Of The Day, Beaupre, in 1897.


Saint-Anne-de-Beaupre, PQ is another Morrice painting, thought to be from 1924.


Here we have Winter, Beaupre, by Morrice, painted around 1892-1900.


Charlevoix was the region in which these works are drawn from, portraying a rural way of life that was starting to change.


The Valley In December is by Clarence Gagnon, and was painted around 1909-13.


The Red Sleigh, by Gagnon, is from 1924-25.


Here we have Laurentian Village, by Gagnon, dated to 1927.


The Yellow House is another work by Gagnon, dating to 1912-13.


Gagnon also painted Winter, Village Of Baie St. Paul, in 1909-11.


One last painting from this exhibit. The Train, Winter is by Gagnon, dating around 1914.

Sunday, August 9, 2026

The Wayside Cross

 This lovely painting starts things off today. Twilight is by Clarence Gagnon, and was painted between 1909-13.


Displayed in the hall, a sled of the time, fitting, as so many of these paintings feature them.


Also displayed, top hats of the period.


Cote-de-Beaupre is a region northeast of Quebec City, and Quebec Impressionists found their way there.


The Weaver is an 1885 work by William Brymner.


Another of his works- Haying Near Quebec, Beaupre. It dates to 1907.


Early Moonrise In September is another work by Brymner, an 1899 painting.


This is The Saint-Francois Valley, Ile d'Orleans, a Brymner painting from 1903.


Clarence Gagnon painted The Wayside Cross, Autumn in 1916.

Saturday, August 8, 2026

Quebec City On Display

 We begin today with Quebec-Levis, a painting by Robert Pilot from 1925.


Wharf On The St. Lawrence is by James Wilson Morrice, dating around 1897.


Another work by Morrice- The Ferry, Quebec, dating to 1907.


The Old Ferry, Louise Basin, Quebec is by Maurice Cullen, dating around 1897.


View Of Quebec From Levis is a 1925 painting by Pilot.


Anse-des-Meres is by Cullen, dating to 1904.


Here we see Horses Waiting, a 1925 work by Pilot.


Lower Town, Quebec is an 1896 painting by Cullen.


And for today we end with Twilight, Levis, a 1933 painting by Pilot.