Gallery Views

I went into the National Gallery of Canada a couple of times, a few days apart, the first in late August, the second on Labour Day, specifically for the Impressionists Treasures exhibition, which we'll have a look at starting tomorrow. On both days I stopped at the glass tower that gives views out over the surrounding area. This view towards Parliament Hill and the Supreme Court was on the first visit.

And this was on Labour Day.

This looks towards the entrance of the Impressionist Treasures exhibit.

I took shots in two settings from the corridor that's off to the right in the above shot, looking back at the glass tower.

In both visits, I took in the permanent galleries but didn't photograph much. I had a chance on the second occasion to chat with one of the docents about a couple of works- a Bernini sculpture and a painting featuring the Roman god Vulcan; the docent program is a wonderful idea. 

I did want to show you a couple of spaces that I did photograph. A room at the end of the World Art collection often features a smaller temporary exhibit. At the time of my visit, it was Masters Of Venetian Portraiture: Veronese, Tiepolo, Vittoria. It presented some paintings, sculpture, and sketches. It was centred around this terracotta bust by sculptor Alessandro Vittoria of his patron. Giulio Contarini dates to the years 1570-76 and is part of the National Gallery's collection. For a reason lost to history, Titian is erroneously marked on its base.

This formidable painting, on loan from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, is a case of an artist painting a fellow artist. Alesandro Vittoria is titled for its subject, and the artist is Paolo Veronese, done around 1580 when Vittoria was in his mid fifties.

Here we have another work, part of the National Gallery's collection. American artist Timothy Cole did this engraving on paper, rendering the art he was seeing in Europe onto paper. This is based on a Veronese, Venice Enthroned Between Justice And Peace. Cole did this in 1892. The original is in Venice.

Here we have a view of one of the interior courtyards, which features a garden.

And for today I finish off with a view looking out from the glass tower on Labour Day, with the American embassy and Major's Hill Park looming beneath a dramatic sky.