The Musée d’art de Joliette in Quebec Highlights Selected Portraits

Written by Charles Stevenson Saturday, 21 May 2011 00:25

Quebec.- Until September 4th, the Musée d’art de Joliette in Quebec is showing "Beyond Sight: Portraits from the MAJ's Collection". This thematic exhibition features more than 60 portraits from the Musée’s collection. Both original in its conception and telling in its presentation, it surveys the different approaches to the genre and its development from the 17th century onward by emphasizing the expression of the eyes of the portrayed subjects. Portraiture is deeply rooted in Western culture, and countless are the artists who have practiced the genre throughout history.

A portrait may be painted, drawn, sculpted or photographed; it may be realistic or stylized or a pure invention; it may be a full-length likeness or a bust or a back view of its subject. But what is most interesting to see is how some artists have renewed the genre: Raymonde April, Nicolas Baier, Martin Boisseau, Fritz Brandtner, Geneviève Cadieux, Jean-Philippe Dallaire, Suzanne Duquet, Louise Gadbois, Lise Gervais, Clara Gutsche, Ernst Neumann, Lilias Torrance Newton and Auguste Rodin. The work of each one of these artists bears witness to a personal vision of their subject. Yet, by hanging these pieces in the salon manner, i.e. in rows that proceed from eye-level to the ceiling, the exhibition offers a particular definition of the genre. Organized by the Musée d’art de Joliette, "Beyond Sight" is an occasion to discover many rarely exhibited works and an opportunity to have an unusual look at the Musée’s rich and varied collection and, in particular, at some remarkable portraits.

The history of the Musée d’art de Joliette dates back to 1885, when the Joliette Seminary first organized its "collections of natural history" and "museum of memories and objects rare and strange." By 1925, the museum had accumulated no fewer than 10,000 artifacts. from the outset, the museum organized art exhibitions, thought its own art collection only started in 1943. By the 1970s, the collection had grown to such an extent that a new building was created, the Musée d’art de Joliette opening its doors to the public January 25, 1976. In 1992, the museum was renovated and expanded and today features eight exhibition halls, containing rich collections of paintings, sculptures, prints, photographs and other valuable parts of the twelfth century to the present. It is dedicated to the dissemination, preservation and enhancement of visual arts and considered the largest art museum outside of Quebec and Montreal. Sacred art is one of the most prestigious elements of the museum's collection. It covers the period from the Middle Ages to the twentieth century and contains some European works dating from the twelfth century even. Such a collection is exceptional and unique. A presentation combining sculpture, paintings, silverware and church furniture juxtaposes the works of European and local Quebec artists. The Museum's collection also offers a complete overview of local Quebec and Canadian art covering a wide range of artistic disciplines, from painting to sculpture, photography to installation and new media. Canadian artists in the collection include Dominique Blain, Paul-Emile Borduas, Genevieve Cadieux, Emily Carr, Marc-Aurèle Fortin, Adrien Hebert, Alfred Laliberté, Jean-Paul Riopelle, Szilasi, Michael Snow and Claude Tousignant. The MAJ also contributes to the development of contemporary Canadian art through an active program of acquisitions and exhibitions. Amongst the international artists represented in the collection are Alighiero e Boetti, Arman, Joseph Beuys, William Klein, Eadweard Muybridge, Auguste Rodin, Niki de Saint Phalle, Kiki Smith and Antoni Tapies. The museum today boasts a collection of over 9,000 works of art offering a vision of art rooted in both past and present. In addition to the three major annual programs, MAJ offers a variety of touring and off-site exhibitions as well as cultural and educational activities throughout the year. Visit the museum's website at ... http://www.museejoliette.org/

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