“In Search of the National Gallery of Canada” by Douglas Ord offers a critical exploration of the gallery’s history, delving into the intricate connections between art, religious ideals, national identity, and architectural design. From its inception to the present day, the National Gallery of Canada has been intertwined with concepts of truth, patriotism, and sanctity, ultimately manifesting in Moshe Safdie’s iconic architectural design.
Ord navigates through a rich tapestry of political intrigue, public controversies, philosophical debates, and art theory to unravel the gallery’s complex evolution. Beginning with Eric Brown’s directorship in 1910 and spanning through the tenures of subsequent directors like Jean Sutherland Boggs and Shirley Thomson, the book examines the gallery’s quest for a permanent home and its struggles with government policies and public perceptions.
Against the backdrop of historical and intellectual contexts, Ord sheds light on the gallery’s acquisitions, governmental attitudes toward the arts, and societal apprehensions toward avant-garde expressions. Moreover, by tracing the architectural and ideological influences behind Safdie’s design—ranging from Gothic cathedrals to Islamic mosques and Egyptian temples—the book elucidates the profound relationship between Canadian art, the National Gallery, and the broader project of Canadian nation-building.
” In Search of the National Gallery of Canada” offers a thought-provoking exploration of the intersection between art, architecture, and national identity, providing valuable insights into the cultural landscape of Canada.
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