Portrait Gallery of Canada, National art museum in Ottawa, Canada
The Portrait Gallery of Canada is a digital platform dedicated to collecting and presenting historical and contemporary Canadian portrait artworks. The collection spans different time periods and styles, documenting the nation's history and diversity through portraiture as an art form.
The institution traces back to 1904, when the Dominion Archives began collecting portraits under archivist Arthur George Doughty's leadership. This foundation evolved into a comprehensive collection that preserves Canadian portraiture from that era to the present day.
The collection showcases works by Canadian artists whose portraits help shape how the country sees itself. You can explore exhibitions like those featuring Raymonde April and Letitia Fraser to understand how artists capture people and moments.
The entire collection is freely accessible through the website portraitcanada.ca, which launched its online presence in 2020. You can explore the artworks from home or anywhere with an internet connection.
The project is registered as a federally funded non-profit and is working toward establishing a physical building in Ottawa's LeBreton Flats neighborhood. Though currently existing only online, the gallery has ambitious plans to eventually have a real home.
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