Apologies for the late post today- this is what I get for not doublechecking when posts are scheduled.
I came to the Museum of History over on the Gatineau side of the Ottawa River on Canada Day for awhile. The permanent exhibit area, Canada Hall, is currently undergoing a complete overhaul but will be finished for next year. The lines for the temporary exhibits were a bit too much for me, so I spent some time among the First Nations exhibits and the Great Hall. This is Spirit Of Haida Gwaii, by the artist Bill Reid, who counted the Haida among his family ties. This is one of three copies, and it's a plaster form. There are two bronze versions of the same size, at the airport in Vancouver and at the Canadian embassy in Washington.
I took this photo through the windows of the Great Hall at the Museum of History. It looks out towards the Ottawa River and the Alexandra Bridge. The wolf in the boat placed in the pool outside is also a work of art, as are the white sculptures beyond.
Nearby, this takes in the view towards Parliament Hill and the Chateau Laurier across the river.
A panel close to the Great Hall reproduces this painting by a British military engineer, Henry Pooley, who painted Entrance Of The Rideau Canal in 1833. The setting, with a First Nations encampment, is generally where the Museum stands today. The heights of what is today Nepean Point, Major's Hill, and Parliament Hill are recognizable, even if the city has changed.
Close by on the panel is a blending of Pooley's painting in the foreground and the current Ottawa skyline in the background.
This mural is by Norval Morrisseau, painted between 1979-84. I showed you another of his works in my National Gallery series, while this one is placed among the First Nations exhibits of the Museum of History.
This exterior view looks back at the Museum's exhibition wing, while the final shot looks out from an upper window onto the spot where I took the exterior photo.
Hey, I like the late businessbecause then I can be the first to comment. You could spend most of your year touring the national gallery. It's good that we have so much.
ReplyDeleteNifty bit of work there William, I particularly liked the comparisons of the paintings
ReplyDeleteThe paintings and sculptures are outstanding. What a grand place. I could spend months going through all that it offers!
ReplyDeleteLove that first sculpture. I'm with Lowell. This is a grand place.
ReplyDeleteJanis
GDP
The last picture gives a perfect idea of how tall the structure is.
ReplyDelete@Red: somehow I'd scheduled this to post at three in the afternoon. I was puzzled when I checked this morning and found no post published for the day.
ReplyDelete@Bill: it's a creative mix.
@Lowell: it's a place I love to visit.
@Janis: it's well worth exploring. I'm looking forward to seeing Canada Hall reopened.
@Haddock: it is quite tall.
i enjoy the painting with all the rich dark images. so cool! ( ;
ReplyDeleteLovely series...and I love those clouds in your photos!
ReplyDeleteA grand place to spend some time.
ReplyDeleteThe paintings are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI like any native art and the first sculpture looks very Northwest Coastal to me. My fav. I like the 4th and 5th painting too.
ReplyDeleteMB
I like that wolf in the canoe a lot!
ReplyDeleteA wonderful place to spend a day or more looking around and appreciating all the art.
ReplyDelete@Beth: thanks!
ReplyDelete@Linda: they were quite dramatic that day, those clouds.
@Karl: it is a wonderful museum.
@Marleen: I quite agree.
@MB: the Haida are up on the northwest BC coast, so it's understandable.
@RedPat: I do as well.
@Bill: it's a great place.
Hard to believe there ever was such a time and nation.
ReplyDeletereally neat place.
ReplyDeleteYou have such a great city with such a wealth of great museums. I hope one of these years to get up to see more of the Haida Gwaii up close. (Isn't annoying? One distraction and there goes your post schedule!)
ReplyDeleteInteresting. I would have liked more of the exhibits.
ReplyDeleteI like the one that is a mix of the old and the new....Indians with skyline.
ReplyDeleteFascinating views and murals. Love the moody skies too.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a big place with many interesting arts and sculpture on display. It will take a lot of time to go through them.
ReplyDeleteGreat post and nice photos! I'd love to visit your area someday. We shall see...
ReplyDelete@Revrunner: indeed.
ReplyDelete@Tex: it is!
@Kay: I am usually good with doublechecking to confirm it's set for midnight.
@Mari: the next time I go over I'll spend more time photographing.
@Janey: it is a good mix.
@Gemma: weather wise, that was quite a day.
@Nancy: it can take quite awhile.
@Pat: thanks!
I like the later posting, too. Most of the bloggers I follow post later in the day, so I try to do blog reading at a time when I can see all of them in one sitting.
ReplyDeleteI prefer scheduling for midnight my time.
DeleteThe views from the great hall in the Museum of History are fantastic William. I totally agree about waiting in queues, can't do it 😃
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteLooks like a fascinating place!
ReplyDeleteIt is!
DeleteGood series, William.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Delete