National Gallery of Canada exhibition Impressionist Treasures enjoys highest attendance in six years

• Only ten days remaining to see key paintings from renowned Danish collection

OTTAWA, Aug. 30, 2018 /CNW/ - The National Gallery of Canada's presentation of paintings from the world-renowned Ordrupgaard collection has attracted more than 114,000 visitors to date, making it the most attended summer exhibition since Van Gogh: Up Close, the Gallery's 2012 summer show. Impressionist Treasures:The Ordrupgaard Collection opened May 18, 2018 in Ottawa, the only North American stop on its international tour. The exhibition travels to Italy, Switzerland and the Czech Republic after completing its run at the Gallery on September 9, 2018.

Impressionist Treasures: The Ordrupgaard Collection features 76 paintings by the masters of Impressionism, Post-Impressionism and the Danish Golden Age, such as Pissarro, Gauguin, Monet, Matisse, Delacroix, Renoir and Cézanne, to name but a few. Assembled by Wilhelm and Henny Hansen in the early 20^th century, the collection is regarded today as one of Europe's most comprehensive and exquisite; and while on view in Ottawa, has captivated crowds with its masterpieces that are traditionally only displayed at the Ordrupgaard museum near Copenhagen.

The collection was originally assembled between 1852 and 1931 by the Danish businessman and his wife, who aspired to own up to 12 works by each of the leading artists of the period. Out of a desire to promote French modern art, the influential couple welcomed the public to their stately home, called Ordrupgaard, one day a week in 1918. Following Henny Hansen's death, the couple's home was transformed into a museum by the Danish state, which continues to operate as such today.

While the museum undergoes renovation, the collection has embarked on an international tour – with the National Gallery of Canada marking the only stop in North America. The Ottawa presentation features 60 French and 16 Danish paintings, including the Gallery's very own Sunshine in the Drawing Room by Vilhelm Hammershøi. The exhibition also presents educational spaces and programs designed to enrich the visitor experience – such as an interactive scrim designed to place visitors inside an Impressionist painting, as well as an online Art Match quiz that prompts users to answer multiple choice questions in search of paintings that match their individual personalities.  

Visitors have ten more days to visit the exhibition, which is organized by Associate Curator Erika Dolphin and presented with the generous support of Dr. Paul Mandl and Mrs. Elsje Mandl. To learn more, please click here.

Visitors' comments:

"It is one of the best exhibitions of Impressionist paintings I have ever seen. If you have not seen it, you should definitely visit it." –Kersten, Ottawa, ON

"I finally was able to look at paintings in person that I only saw in books or on TV. It was amazing." – Kevin, Ottawa, ON

"I saw the exhibit earlier this summer and was stopped in my tracks by Hammershøi's works. His work reminded me of the more austere of the Canadian east coast magic realists: Christopher Pratt, Colville, and Forrestall." – J. Calder, Ottawa, ON.

"Exquisite exhibition of the remaining impressionists in Ordrupgaard as well as intriguing Danish artists of 19th century. Worth becoming a yearly member of the NGC." – Jane

"Yesterday morning, I had never heard of Vilhelm Hammershøi. By last night, I was smitten. Tonight, colour me obsessed. Thank you National Gallery of Canada." –Sarine, Montreal, QC

"We had our picture taken in [the] garden. A clever idea where technology allows a 'selfie' in impressionistic imagery!" – Eliza, Queensland, Australia

"I saw this exhibit two weeks ago and loved it. Thank you to the National Gallery of Canada for bringing these works to Canada for us to appreciate." – Jo

"What a wonderful time we had yesterday walking through and enjoying all these wonderful treasures." – Sheryl-Elaine, Ottawa, ON

"Saw that exhibition twice. Mesmerised by it." – Tonie

Publication
The exhibition is accompanied by a 120-page hardcover bilingual catalogue written by National Gallery of Canada former Chief Curator Paul Lang. Complete with in-depth descriptions and full page illustrations, Impressionist Treasures surveys the great masters of Impressionism and Post-impressionism and the major trends of French painting that preceded them, such as the Barbizon School and Realism, through a collection regarded as one of the most beautiful in Europe. On sale for the price of $25 at the Boutique and online, at ShopNGC.

NGC Magazine
NGCmagazine.ca is a beautifully illustrated online source of information about the Canadian and international art world, and the National Gallery of Canada's activities and programming. This online magazine includes articles about upcoming and travelling exhibitions, behind the scenes features, artists' profiles, book reviews and interviews.  NGC Magazine is free and published here. Subscribe to the NGC Magazine newsletter here. Read the article "Painting in Light: a Journey through Impressionism and the Danish Golden Age" and watch Associate Curator Erika Dolphin give a tour of the French works on view in the exhibition online now.

Hours of operation
Until September 30, 2018, the Gallery is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm, and on Thursdays from 10 am to 8 pm. Holiday exceptions apply, and hours are subject to change without notice. For more information, visit gallery.ca.

Admission
Tickets: $20 (adults); $18 (seniors); $12 (age 24 and under and full-time students); $40 (families: two adults and three youth, 17 and under). Admission is free for children under the age of 11 and for Members. Includes admission to the national collection, and all exhibitions. Free admission on Thursdays from 5 pm to 8 pm. To find out more.

Boutique
Exhibitions catalogues are on sale at the Boutique, allowing visitors to revisit their favorite works of art for years to come. Also available online at ShopNGC.ca. Opens at 10 am daily. 15% off for Members.

Connect with the Gallery
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About the National Gallery of Canada          
The National Gallery of Canada is home to the most important collections of historical and contemporary Canadian art. The Gallery also maintains Canada's premier collection of European Art from the 14th to the 21st centuries, as well as important works of American, Asian and Indigenous Art and renowned international collections of prints, drawings and photographs. In 2015, the National Gallery of Canada established the Canadian Photography Institute, a global multidisciplinary research center dedicated to the history, evolution and future of photography. Created in 1880, the National Gallery of Canada has played a key role in Canadian culture for well over a century. Among its principal missions is to increase access to excellent works of art for all Canadians. For more information, visit gallery.ca and follow us on Twitter @NatGalleryCan

SOURCE National Gallery of Canada

media only: Josée-Britanie Mallet, Senior Media and Public Relations Officer, National Gallery of Canada, 613.990.6835, [e-mail]