Friday 5 December 2014

What I am showing these days

For those of you who read this blog, you know how much I believe in our National Gallery in Ottawa on Sussex Drive. It is a 150 year old Institution and in fact it is older than that, as early as 1820 Lord Dalhousie a staunch Scottish Presbyterian who was the Governor General of Canada residing in the Chateau Saint-Louis in Quebec City, the site is now occupied by the Chateau Frontenac Hotel, a man of letters and highly cultured and a patron of early Canadian Art who gave the first 140 art works to Canada.

George Ramsay, 9th Earl of Dalhousie, Governor General of Canada (1820-1828)

Here are some of the works I have been showing in the last few weeks to the public in what is called the Docent's Choice or Le Choix du Guide, I give these 10 minute mini lectures on art to anyone who wishes to stop and listen.


La danseuse by Antonio Canova (1818)

PierAntonio Bandini by Agnolo Bronzino (1550)

Daniele Barbaro by Titian (1555)
a copy of this painting is in the Prado in Madrid.

Death of General Wolfe by Benjamin West (1770) with the new 18th century frame.

In the coming months I will also present the following, so I prepare by reading on the works and the artist and what motivated the creation of the painting or sculpture.  


Salisbury Cathedral seen from the Bishop's Garden by John Constable (1820)

Pope Urban VIII, Barberini, by Gian Lorenzo Bernini


Venus by Lucas Cranach the Elder (1518)


The Age of Bronze by Auguste Rodin (1877)

If you happen to come by the National Gallery I may see you.

4 comments:

  1. That's an eclectic assortment of art!

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    1. It is all part of the European collection but is arranged in time periods and throughout several galleries. I try to keep it interesting so I don't repeat myself.

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  2. Wow!
    I have seen the painting of the death of Wolfe many times, but I never connected the dots as to where the painting lay. You have it! Now my ottawa trip must must happen. what other lovely surprises do you have there for me to see I wonder?

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    1. There is lots to see, so you will get a free guide tour of the NGC

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