Past exhibitions

Rebel, prophet, imposter, heartthrob—these are words not typically associated with figures from Canadian history. But, as this exhibition of personalities demonstrates, not all fit the mild-mannered, self-effacing stereotype of Canadians. This display is a snapshot of works that were part of a travelling exhibition developed by Library and Archives Canada. The reproductions featured here represent remarkable people from all walks of life, regions far and wide, past eras and present day. Some are well-known; others should be. All are worth knowing more about. Their portraits and stories reveal tales ranging from assumed identity, exploitation and scandal, to invention, discovery and glorious achievement.

Portrait miniatures hold a special place of interest within the genre of portraiture. These intricately painted images were personal keepsakes or tokens of affection, commissioned and created for people to view and to cherish. They marked a separation from a loved one or the anticipation of meeting again. Portable and private, these treasured pieces were worn as jewellery, tucked inside a pocket, or kept in the home in a special place for daily viewing and remembrance. There are over 100 portrait miniatures in the holdings of Library and Archives Canada, ranging from the late eighteenth to the early twentieth century. The advent of photography signalled the end of this long-established art form, as photographic portraits became more economical and widely available. Although the medium of remembrance was altered, the desire to continue some semblance of it remains today. Our modern-day miniature keepsakes are the pictures we keep on our cellphone screens—evidence that we still need to keep the people we care for close when we are parted.

Portrait miniatures hold a special place of interest within the genre of portraiture. These intricately painted images were personal keepsakes or tokens of affection, commissioned and created for people to view and to cherish. They marked a separation from a loved one or the anticipation of meeting again. Portable and private, these treasured pieces were worn as jewellery, tucked inside a pocket, or kept in the home in a special place for daily viewing and remembrance. There are over 100 portrait miniatures in the holdings of Library and Archives Canada, ranging from the late eighteenth to the early twentieth century. The advent of photography signalled the end of this long-established art form, as photographic portraits became more economical and widely available. Although the medium of remembrance was altered, the desire to continue some semblance of it remains today. Our modern-day miniature keepsakes are the pictures we keep on our cellphone screens—evidence that we still need to keep the people we care for close when we are parted.

Rebel, prophet, imposter, heartthrob—these are words not typically associated with figures from Canadian history. But, as this exhibition of portraits clearly demonstrates, not all personalities fit the mild-mannered, self-effacing stereotype of Canadians. The remarkable people featured here come from all walks of life, regions far and wide, past eras and present day. Some are well known; others should be. All are worth knowing more about. Their portraits and stories reveal tales ranging from assumed identity, exploitation and scandal, to invention, discovery and glorious achievement. The lives of these men and women are certainly worth a second look

Rebel, prophet, imposter, heartthrob—these are words not typically associated with figures from Canadian history. But, as this exhibition of portraits clearly demonstrates, not all personalities fit the mild-mannered, self-effacing stereotype of Canadians. The remarkable people featured here come from all walks of life, regions far and wide, past eras and present day. Some are well known; others should be. All are worth knowing more about. Their portraits and stories reveal tales ranging from assumed identity, exploitation and scandal, to invention, discovery and glorious achievement. The lives of these men and women are certainly worth a second look…

Contemporary portraiture goes beyond the traditional capturing of likeness, immortalizing, or providing a public glimpse of a private life. The portrait has become an articulation of the changing concepts of identity, both individual and collective. It seeks to reveal how human character is shaped by personal biography, engaging the artist, the subject and the viewer in an active construction of meaning. Artists also push the definition of the portrait beyond our established expectations. In our image-saturated age a single summary view seems insufficient to capture the unfixed and unlimited layers of an individual. The works in this show pose the question: How would we choose to capture and project our own image?

Portrait miniatures hold a special place of interest within the genre of portraiture. These intricately painted images were personal keepsakes or tokens of affection, commissioned and created for people to view and to cherish. They marked a separation from a loved one or the anticipation of meeting again. Portable and private, these treasured pieces were worn as jewellery, tucked inside a pocket, or kept in the home in a special place for daily viewing and remembrance. There are over 100 portrait miniatures in the holdings of Library and Archives Canada, ranging from the late eighteenth to the early twentieth century. The advent of photography signalled the end of this long-established art form, as photographic portraits became more economical and widely available. Although the medium of remembrance was altered, the desire to continue some semblance of it remains today. Our modern-day miniature keepsakes are the pictures we keep on our cellphone screens—evidence that we still need to keep the people we care for close when we are parted.

Faces of 1812 presents some of the men and women, both combatants and civilians, who experienced the War of 1812. The War of 1812 united French-speaking and English-speaking Canadians, First Peoples, and the British against a common foe. The victory gained through their successful joint defence helped lay the foundations for modern Canada. This virtual exhibition highlights some of the rare portraits and archival documents presented in the exhibition Faces of 1812 on display at the Canadian War Museum, in conjunction with the Museum’s own major exhibition, 1812. Both exhibitions will be shown from June 13, 2012 to January 6, 2013. This virtual exhibition also includes additional works that highlight the War of 1812 as a rich and continuing source of artistic inspiration, commemoration, and reflection.

Rebel, prophet, imposter, heartthrob—these are words not typically associated with figures from Canadian history. But, as this exhibition of portraits clearly demonstrates, not all personalities fit the mild-mannered, self-effacing stereotype of Canadians. The remarkable people featured here come from all walks of life, regions far and wide, past eras and present day. Some are well known; others should be. All are worth knowing more about. Their portraits and stories reveal tales ranging from assumed identity, exploitation and scandal, to invention, discovery and glorious achievement. The lives of these men and women are certainly worth a second look…

Library and Archives Canada is marking the War of 1812 Bicentennial with Portraits on the Ice, an exhibition on the Rideau Canal Skateway, presented in collaboration with the National Capital Commission. The portraits depict some of the English-and French-speaking militia and colonists, British officers and First Nations allies who worked together to successfully block American invasions over the course of more than two years.

Library and Archives Canada is proud to present the exhibition CBC/Radio-Canada: 75 Years of Bringing Canadians Together in collaboration with the Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation and CBC/Radio-Canada. Canada's broadcast technology heritage is revealed in numerous audio and visual recordings. Other artefacts include 19 caricatures of personalities who have appeared in CBC/Radio-Canada productions over the last 75 years. The caricatures are high-quality reproductions selected from the national portrait collection to illustrate this commemorative exhibition. The exhibition opens October 14, 2011, at the Canada Science and Technology Museum in Ottawa. Discover how the national network broadcast our stories and contributed to building our national identity.

This exhibition creates a dialogue between two artists and their work. Using the medium of photography, they explore narratives of the past and present and how they intersect. The work of Six Nations artists Shelley Niro and Jeff Thomas subverts the often damaging historical representation of First Nations by firmly anchoring images in a contemporary reality. Together, these works shed light on issues of identity and representation, stereotypes and icons, and agency and control. ​  

In collaboration with the National Capital Commission, Library and Archives Canada is proud to present the outdoor art exhibition Portraits in the Street: Political Culture displayed in the Sussex Courtyards of Ottawa’s ByWard Market.   As the seat of the federal government, Canada’s Capital belongs to all Canadians. This installation of Portraits in the Street features 14 portrait reproductions that explore the connections between the nation’s politics and its artists, performers   and writers. ​  

From a portrait of young sisters in nineteenth-century Quebec City to a portrait of singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, Portraits on the Ice returns to provide another peek inside the vast collection of Library and Archives Canada.   In collaboration with the National Capital Commission, Portraits on the Ice features 10 portrait reproductions installed under the Bank Street Bridge on the Rideau Canal Skateway. ​

To mark the 125th anniversary of the Northwest Resistance and the execution of Métis leader Louis Riel, Library and Archives Canada is proud to present the outdoor art exhibition Portraits in the Street: Year of the Métis Nation at The Forks in Winnipeg, Manitoba.   The installation features 14 portrait reproductions of well-known individuals such as Northwest Resistance leaders Louis Riel and Gabriel Dumont as well as citizens whose lives and actions have shaped this country. Presented in collaboration with The Forks. ​  

To mark the 300th anniversary of the historic meeting between Aboriginal emissaries and Queen Anne, Library and Archives Canada is proud to launch a new exhibition, Crossing Paths, at the Woodland Cultural Centre in Brantford, Ontario. The exhibition features the portraits of the “Four Indian Kings” alongside the work of contemporary Six Nations artists Jeff Thomas and Shelley Niro   The idealized European images of eighteenth-century Aboriginal diplomats together with contemporary photographs by Aboriginal artists create an engaging dialogue about identity and representation, stereotypes and icons, and agency and control. ​

In celebration of the 400th anniversary of Canada’s first English settlement, Library and Archives Canada, is proud to bring Portraits in the Street to Atlantic Canada for the first time.   This outdoor installation features 18 framed reproductions of works from the national portrait collection, brought together around the theme of new beginnings and first contacts. Presented in collaboration with Cupids 400 Inc.​

To mark the 300th anniversary of the historic meeting between Aboriginal emissaries and Queen Anne, the “Four Indian Kings” will be displayed at the Canadian Museum of Civilization.   The portraits of the “Four Kings” are among the earliest surviving full-length oil portraits of North American First Nations people painted from life. Three hundred years after they were painted, these portraits remain a valuable record of early cultural and political diplomacy between the First Nations and the British Empire​. 

In celebration of the 2010 Winter Games, Library and Archives Canada is proud to present Portraits in the Street in Vancouver and Portraits on the Ice in Ottawa. These outdoor installations showcase reproductions of images of Canadian Olympians, Paralympians, and men and women who have contributed to Canada’s winter sport heritage. Portraits on the Ice is presented in collaboration with the National Capital Commission.

This exhibition Karsh: Image Maker focuses on the life, influence and work of legendary Canadian photographer, Yousuf Karsh. A master behind the lens, Karsh created remarkable portraits through brilliantly crafted images. Winston Churchill, Glenn Gould, Audrey Hepburn and Gratien Gélinas—these are just a few of the famous people the portrait photographer captured in his iconic camera and style. The exhibition brings together original prints and studio artifacts, such as cameras, an enlarger, retouching pens, brushes and more. Among the portraits featured are those of Andy Warhol, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Helen Keller, Princess Elizabeth, Alfred Hitchcock and Audrey Hepburn. Karsh: Image Maker is organized by the Canada Science and Technology Museum and Library and Archives Canada, to mark the centenary of one of Canada’s most eminent photographers.

In celebration of the 2010 Winter Games, Library and Archives Canada is proud to present Portraits in the Street in Vancouver and Portraits on the Ice in Ottawa. These outdoor installations showcase reproductions of images of Canadian Olympians, Paralympians, and men and women who have contributed to Canada’s winter sport heritage. Portraits in the Street is presented in co-operation with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.​

This exhibition Karsh: Image Maker focuses on the life, influence and work of legendary Canadian photographer, Yousuf Karsh. A master behind the lens, Karsh created remarkable portraits through brilliantly crafted images.   Winston Churchill, Glenn Gould, Audrey Hepburn and Gratien Gélinas—these are just a few of the famous people the portrait photographer captured in his iconic camera and style.     The exhibition brings together original prints and studio artifacts, such as cameras, an enlarger, retouching pens, brushes and more. Among the portraits featured are those of Andy Warhol, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Helen Keller, Princess Elizabeth, Alfred Hitchcock and Audrey Hepburn.   Karsh: Image Maker is organized by the Canada Science and Technology Museum and Library and Archives Canada, to mark the centenary of one of Canada’s most eminent photographers. ​  

This summer, encounter some interesting Canadians as you stroll through the Sussex Courtyards of Ottawa’s historic ByWard Market. Discover portraits in Clarendon Lanes by legendary photographer Yousuf Karsh. Find a unique selection of self-portraits by different artists in Jeanne D’Arc Court. These reproductions from the national portrait collection of Library and Archives Canada are exhibited as part of the Portraits in the Street series. Presented in collaboration with the National Capital Commission. Animation Program, thanks to GWL Realty Advisors. Library and Archives Canada would like to extend its sincere appreciation to the Sussex Courtyards proprietors and tenants for their participation in Portraits in the Courtyards.

From the earliest known portrait of Sir John A. Macdonald to contemporary reflections on the stereotyping of First Nations peoples, Portraits on Campus features 11 reproductions from the national portrait collection of Library and Archives Canada. The selection of images relates to questions of identity, space and sense of community.   This outdoor exhibition is on display as part of the 2009 Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences.   Presented in collaboration with Carleton University. ​

In February 2009, you are invited to lace up your skates and come visit the outdoor exhibition Portraits on the Ice upon its return to the Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa.   Visitors will have the opportunity to pass by a young lady on her way to a fancy dress carnival for the opening of the Rideau Skating and Curling Club, circa 1880s, and speed-skating champion Gaétan Boucher as he trains for the 1976 Innsbruck Olympic Games. These and eight other portrait reproductions are exhibited under the arches of the Bank Street Bridge.   Presented in collaboration with the National Capital Commission. ​

A breath of fresh air! An unexpected encounter! Eleven portraits of known and unknown Canadians are showcased this summer in the Sussex Courtyards of Ottawa’s ByWard Market.   Portraits in the Courtyards features reproductions from the national portrait collection of Library and Archives Canada. As visitors make their way through Tin House Court, Jeanne D’Arc Court and Clarendon Lanes, they will be greeted by the faces of the famous and not so famous.   Presented in collaboration with the National Capital Commission.   Library and Archives Canada would like to extend its sincere appreciation to the Sussex Courtyards proprietors and tenants for their participation in Portraits in the Courtyards. ​

Library and Archives Canada is lending Quebec City a hand in celebrating its 400th anniversary by bringing the city’s most influential faces and voices to life! Portraits in the Street showcases 21 reproductions from the national portrait collection of Library and Archives Canada. Visitors will experience unexpected encounters with generals, chiefs, new Canadians, and many others who have left their mark on Quebec’s heritage and the history of Canada over the past 400 years. Twenty-one portrait reproductions are featured at 19 sites along Rue St-Jean in Haute-Ville (Upper Town) and Rue du Petit-Champlain in Basse-Ville (Lower Town). Library and Archives Canada would like to extend its sincere appreciation to the Quebec City proprietors for their participation in Portraits in the Street: Quebec 400.       ​

Frederick Horsman Varley has been called “master of the portrait.” However, F.H. Varley: Portraits into the Light is the first major celebration of the portraiture of this renowned artist. Better known for his landscapes and as a founding member of the Group of Seven, Varley is now recognized as one of Canada’s finest portrait artists, able to portray the nuance and drama of his subjects. A Master of Insight Varley excelled at capturing the character of his sitter through observation. He intuitively sought to reveal the essence behind the human face. His gifted portrayal of Wing Commander, C.J. Duncan demonstrates his ability to illuminate the mood and mindset of his subject. Becoming an Artist Varley’s life experiences are reflected in his portraiture. Varley was born in England, where he began his art education at the age of 11 and continued his training as a draughtsman. His early portraits show roots in the British tradition of portrait painting. After immigrating to Canada in 1912, his works began to take on aspects of the dynamic artistic society he was part of in Toronto, which included Tom Thomson and members of the Group of Seven. As Varley spent time in Vancouver, Ottawa and Montreal, his paintings and sketches mirrored his experiences. His signature use of colour, drawing techniques and background rendering was well established throughout his career. Varley consistently explored humanity in all its forms with an introspection that defined him as a portrait artist unlike any other. The Essence of the Extreme As his landscapes attest, geography had a profound impact on Varley. He was initially drawn to the Canadian North after seeing Arctic paintings by A.Y. Jackson and Lawren Harris in 1931. In July 1938, he boarded the RMS Nascopie for a three-month journey to the Eastern Arctic. There he was captivated by the faces of the Inuit people he encountered. The collection of drawings and watercolours that Varley produced during that time are some of the most delicate and expressive he ever produced. Library and Archives Canada has added four of these Arctic works from the holdings of Library and Archives Canada to complement the exhibition F.H. Varley: Portraits into the Light.     The exhibition presents over 70 of Varley’s most celebrated works. They include his award-winning painting Vera, as well as his portraits of Victoria Cross recipients, which helped to define his career as a gifted portrait artist. From the collections of private lenders and institutions across Canada, this exhibition features a majority of works executed in oil, a smaller number painted in watercolour, and a group of drawings and sketches on paper.   Presented in co-operation with the Canadian Museum of Nature. Organized and circulated by the Varley Art Gallery of Markham. ​

The Marquis de Vaudreuil, Wayne Gretzky and R.B. Bennett will all live outside this winter. For the first time, Library and Archives Canada is showing reproductions from the national portrait collection on the Rideau Canal Skateway and in the ByWard Market. Portraits on the Ice consists of 11 reproductions installed under the arches of the Bank Street Bridge, in collaboration with the National Capital Commission as part of its 2008 Rideau Canal Skateway festivities. Portraits in the Street features a rotation of 10 reproductions installed in the ByWard Market, in association with the City of Ottawa ByWard Market Office and the ByWard Market Business Improvement Association. The original portraits of Nicol Hugh Baird, the engineer in charge of helping to build the Rideau Canal, his wife and daughter are on display for the public at the Carleton University Art Gallery.

Library and Archives Canada presents In Your Face: The People’s Portrait Project, organized by the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO).     This project began as an invitation to the people of Ontario to submit a 4" x 6" original portrait to the AGO. The project immediately attracted interest from across Canada and around the world, much to the AGO’s surprise and delight. Over 17,000 portraits arrived from as far away as Italy, Germany, France, Great Britain, Australia, Japan and South Korea.   In Your Face fosters a wide variety of individuals and groups creating together for a common purpose. The result is an exhibition with dynamic juxtapositions of portraits by amateurs and professionals, children and adults. Many personal stories accompany the submissions, including a letter from British Columbia that concludes with the statement: “Art is for everyone. Art is in everyone.” ​