WINNIPEG, MB -  El Greco. Rubens. Rembrandt. Some of the greatest artists of the Baroque period are coming to The Winnipeg Art Gallery. Baroque Masterworks from the National Gallery of Canada opens at the WAG on March 23, continuing until June 3.  The exhibition presents outstanding paintings from the collection of the National Gallery of Canada. Due to their age, rarity, and historical importance, paintings such as these rarely travel. Winnipeg audiences will have the opportunity to view twelve of the nations’ greatest treasures, spectacular paintings from 17th and early 18th century Italy, Spain, Holland, France, and Belgium.  

“Baroque” refers to art produced c. 1600 to 1750, between the Renaissance/Mannerist movements and the Neoclassical period. Although there is no common style in Baroque art, some themes do emerge, such as an interest in naturalism, strong and dramatic lighting, heightened emotional content, and respect for the classical past. The works in this exhibition range from the elongated bodies of El Greco to the cloudy landscapes of Nicholas Poussin.  There are gypsy fortunetellers, angels and mystic visions, a stylish young cavalier, elegantly gowned ladies—and some ladies with no gowns at all!

Other artists in the exhibition are Jacob Jordaens, Simon Vouet, Jan Lievens, Pensionante del Saraceni, Paulus Bor, Guiseppe Maria Crespi, Bernardo Cavallino, and Caesar Beotius van Everdingen.

Complementing this exhibition is a show drawn from the WAG’s own collection that examines the concept of Baroque. Is It Baroque: Investigating the WAG Collection will juxtapose contemporary work alongside historical examples, allowing viewers to explore the varied definitions of Baroque art—exaggerated motion, intensified emotion, religious ecstasy, dramatic lighting, and sensory perception.

Admission to Baroque Masterworks from the National Gallery of Canada is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students, $23 for families, $7 for youth aged 6 to 12, $4 for Gallery members, and free for children under age 6. The WAG has planned a series of talks, tours, films, and art workshops to enhance viewers’ enjoyment and understanding of this exhibition. Details can be found at wag.mb.ca.

Baroque Masterworks from the National Gallery of Canada has been organized and circulated by the National Gallery of Canada. Supported by the Department of Canadian Heritage through the Canada Travelling Exhibitions Indemnification Program / Avec l'appui du ministère du Patrimoine canadien par le bias du Programme d'indemnisation pour les expositions itinérantes au Canada.

Established in 1912, the Winnipeg Art Gallery is Western Canada’s oldest public art gallery, mandated to develop and maintain Manitoba’s visual arts heritage. As one of Canada’s leading galleries, it collects and exhibits works of art by Manitoba, Canadian, and international artists.

The WAG takes seriously its mandate of Involving People in the Visual Arts, and is committed to helping people enrich their lives through art. Exhibitions are accompanied by informative wall panels, brochures, articles in the Gallery publication Tableau, catalogues—all designed to guide visitors to a new appreciation of the art they are viewing. Tours conducted by trained Gallery guides—and often by the artists or curators themselves—bring a new dimension to visitors’ enjoyment of the exhibitions. Visit Winnipeg Art Gallery at : www.wag.mb.ca