U ni v ersity of lethbridge art gallery
By capturing the faces of Canada’s First Nations people, renowned artist Nicholas de Grandmaison (1892-1978) left a deeply personal record of history. His documentation was grounded in the belief that the soul of a person was found in the face, and many of the individuals he painted during his prolific career were from the southern Alberta area, in particular the Blackfoot Confederacy and the Kainai and Piikani communities. The U of L Art Gallery has long been recognized for its de Grandmaison collection. Recently, that collection
underwent a considerable expansion. In February 2013, BMO Financial Group donated 67 original pastel portraits by de Grandmaison to the U of L’s Art Gallery, along with $50,000 to care for and create access to the works.
that were purchased by BMO in 1978 from the artist’s family following his death. To that end, the collection now has an ideal home at the U of L, says Robert Hayes, senior vice-president, prairies division of BMO Bank of Montreal.
The collection spans a period of more than 30 years and traces the development of de Grandmaison’s talent and facility as one of the most important painters and portraitists of western First Nations people in Canada.
“The University already owns one of the most comprehensive collections of artworks and artifacts by this important Canadian portraitist. We are excited to enhance this collection with a gift that will allow it to continue to serve as a resource for students, faculty and independent scholars,” says Hayes.
The donated portraits are part of a portfolio of works by de Grandmaison This gift of works from BMO
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Nicholas de Grandmaison, Shot Both Sides (Atso’toah), 1949 From the University of Lethbridge Art Collection; Gift of BMO Financial Group, 2012.
UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE ART GALLERY, Nicholas de Grandmaison: Recent Acquisitions
Nicholas de Grandmaison, Wolf Tail (Apisoh’soyi), 1960 From the University of Lethbridge Art Collection; Gift of BMO Financial Group, 2012.
Financial Group joins more than 170 works and artefacts of outstanding significance and national importance, already housed by the U of L Art Collection and Archives, which the de Grandmaison family previously donated to the U of L. “The University takes seriously what it means to be entrusted with these cultural treasures,” says U of L President Dr. Mike Mahon. “These pieces hold special meaning for the U of L as most of de Grandmaison’s work was created in this area. I find it fascinating that the communities Nicholas de Grandmaison was
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