The Portrait Gallery of Canada is based on the collections of
Library and Archives Canada, whose portraits comprise an incomparable
visual record of men and women from all walks of life who have helped
shape Canada.
New Acquisitions : Introduction
The establishment of the Portrait Gallery of Canada has enlarged
the scope of the Library and Archives Canada collection to encompass
honorific and commemorative purposes in addition to the documentary
nature of previous collecting. Inspired by the announcement of the
Gallery, Canadians have made donations and offers of exceptional
quality that have greatly enriched the collection.
Consequently, new strengths are being developed in 20th-century
portraiture and sculpture. Future acquisitions from the 16th to
the 18th centuries will be pursued as well as works which explore
and extend the traditional concept of the portrait. Works will also
be commissioned of living Canadians by Canada's most talented
portrait artists. The Gallery acquires on behalf of Library and
Archives Canada by purchase, donation and bequest in all media:
painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, photography and new media.
New Acquisitions : 2004
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Diana Krall, singer/pianist,
1999
by Bryan Adams (Canadian, born 1959)
Gelatin silver print
Donation
PA-215138
This intimate portrait of Diana Krall (born 1964), one of
Canada's top female jazz vocalists, was taken by another
Canadian international music star, Bryan Adams, as part of
his series Made in Canada, a project to raise funds for breast
cancer research. The series consists of over 80 portraits
of Canadian celebrities.
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| Sir Frederick Grant Banting,
1925
by Tibor Polya (Hungarian, 1886-1937)
Oil on board
C-151355
Sir Frederick Banting (1891-1941) served as a medical officer
in the First World War and was awarded the Military Cross
for gallantry in the field. In 1923, he received the Nobel
Prize for his research efforts with Charles Best. These efforts
had led to the discovery of insulin, which saved the lives
of millions of people living with diabetes. |
New Acquisitions : 2003
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Guy Paul Morin, 1995
by Joanne Tod (Canadian, born 1953)
Oil on transparent polyester
Donation
C-151437 & C-151438
In 1992 Morin was convicted of the murder of nine-year-old
Christine Jessup, and exonerated by DNA testing in 1995. This
case resulted in major changes to the Ontario justice system.
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Colonel John Hale,
1760-1764
by Sir Joshua Reynolds (British, 1723-1792)
Oil on canvas
Purchase
C-150159
Purchased with the assistance of the Minister of Canadian
Heritage under the authority of the Canadian Cultural
Property Export and Import Act.
Colonel John Hale (1728-1806) played a pivotal role in both
the attack on Louisbourg in 1758 and the Battle of the Plains
of Abraham a year later. His eldest son, also named John,
subsequently settled in Canada and established a branch of
the family.
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| Queer Affair, from
the series Heroine, 1999
by Lori Newdick (Canadian, born 1968)
Colour print
Purchase
PA-212997
The Portrait Gallery of Canada is interested in definitions
of identity as expressed through portraiture. Newdick says:
“Heroine explores the struggle of the individual to
define and inhabit an identity that is not represented or
reflected in mainstream culture. The series examines how social
constructs can isolate and marginalize those who exist outside
of prescribed notions of sexual orientation and gender.”
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New Acquisitions : 2002
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Faith
Fenton,
ca. 1880
by J. Fraser Bryce Studio, Toronto
Albumen print
Purchase
PA-212241
Born Alice Freeman, Faith Fenton (1857-1936) was Canada's
first woman newspaper columnist, writing for the Empire. During
the day she was a schoolteacher. In 1898 during the Klondike
gold rush, she trekked to Dawson City and became the first
northern correspondent for the Globe.
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Self-portrait
with Louise Lecavalier,
from New Demons, 1987
by Édouard Lock (Canadian, born 1951)
Gelatin silver print
Purchase
PA-212294
Quebec choreographer Édouard Lock is founder of the
Montréal based dance company La La La Human Steps.
With his unique choreographic language, Lock led this company
to international acclaim. Louise Lecavalier was one of its
principal dancers. |
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F.R.
Scott,
1971
by Harold Town (Canadian, 1924-1990)
Watercolour
Donation
C-149436
Francis Reginald Scott (1899-1985) was a significant poet
and political activist. In addition to being a commentator
on Canadian society and literature, he was a leading authority
on constitutional law. He said, “A good constitution
is like a good poem, both are concerned with the spirit of
man.” |
New Acquisitions : 2001
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Nicol
Hugh Baird, and his wife Mary
Telfer (née White) with their daughter Mary Telfer
Baird, 1833
by Nelson Cook (American, 1817-1892)
Oil on canvas
Donation
C-150120 & C-150116
Nicol Hugh Baird (1796-1849) was clerk of works on the Rideau
Canal project and also assisted in the building of the Trent
Canal. Moreover, he designed a “sweeping paddle wheel,”
which allowed steam-driven vessels to navigate more easily
and efficiently. |
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A
Newfoundland Hunter,
1857
by Paul-Émile Miot (French, 1827-1900)
Albumen print
Purchase
PA-212543
Miot accompanied Captain Georges-Charles Cloué on three
hydrographic and fishing campaigns on board French naval vessels
between 1857 and 1859. Miot made the earliest photographs
on Canada's East Coast. |
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| Roy
Herbert, First Baron Thomson of Fleet,
1967
by John Bratby (British, 1928-1992)
Oil on canvas
Purchase
C-149546
Roy Thomson (1894-1976) was a significant figure not only
in Canadian but also in international business. His rise from
“rags to riches” began in North Bay, Ontario,
where he started his own radio station in 1931, followed by
the purchase of the Timmins Daily Press, the first of many
newspapers. By the end of his career he owned over 100 newspapers
in the world. |
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