National Gallery of Canada

The National Gallery of Canada is one of those places that feels different every time you visit. The architecture alone is worth the trip — that glass tower glowing against the night sky always stops me for a moment. Inside, the mix of Canadian, Indigenous, and international art creates a calm, thoughtful atmosphere that invites you to slow down and really look. Walking around the building at night, with the lights reflecting off the snow, reminded me how lucky we are to have a space like this in Ottawa. It’s modern, peaceful, and quietly inspiring. Whether you’re here for a quick visit or a long wander, the Gallery has a way of refreshing your mind. A beautiful landmark in every season — and a place that always feels worth returning to. Update: Visited today with a group and had a wonderful experience. The gallery’s diverse collection of artworks—from classic masterpieces to contemporary installations—was truly inspiring. We took a relaxing tea break at the café, which added a cozy touch to the visit. The atmosphere, architecture, and thoughtful curation made it easy to slow down and recharge. See photos for a glimpse of the beauty we enjoyed. Highly recommend for anyone looking to refresh their mind and spirit through art.

Wow! This was a remarkable visit and one I will highly recommend. We arrive about 1 pm, enjoyed the exhibits on both floors and around 430, when the sun was starting to set we enjoyed the view and drink in the foyer area. There are couches, a bar, activities for families and the sunset over the river was stunning. Take your time to walk out to the Point and view both sides of the river. It is one the west side of the building. This gallery is a must when visiting Ottawa! Magnific! If you love a cultured, but not pretentious afternoon out ... THIS is IT!! Cheers, Spicy Jan - Tasty Road Trips

Loved this art gallery! A great place if you genuinely enjoy art. It does take a few hours, so I’d recommend visiting on a holiday or when you have enough time. The art class and gift shop with art pieces and creative items was a lovely bonus. Overall, a great experience. 🎨✨

Not only does this place have famous paintings and sculptures, but the architecture itself is stunning. I loved how the sunlight comes through the atrium, you can just sit there, soak up the light, and enjoy the courtyard. Such a beautiful spot to slow down for a moment. There’s so much to see that it actually takes quite a while to walk through everything, but honestly, I didn’t mind at all. It felt like time well spent, and I didn’t want to rush any part of it.

The National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa is definitely worth a visit. The architecture is stunning, and the atmosphere feels calm and welcoming. You can find everything from famous Canadian artists to thought-provoking modern art, plus the amazing Indigenous art collection. It’s a place where you can spend hours exploring and always discover something new. I have been there two times but still feel i haven’t seen the full.

We came for “Comptes d’hiver” and the “Camera in the City” exhibits which were great! Our visit spilled over to the Rideau Chapel and the other contemporary artists in the permanent collection. Overall a beautiful visit with the family. Coming from the Netherlands we appreciated the diversity and the different perspectives of the exhibits.

Worth Visiting. A lot of collections of artworks, paintings and sculptures from Europe, Canada, America, and indigenous communities. Visited in a Thursday which is always free entry. Although it didn't feel.as immersive as the other museums in the Capital. However, still a great place to learn more about art m.

The National Gallery of Canada is one of the gems that Ottawa has to offer. It's a world class gallery that should be on your list of places top visit when in the Nation's Capital. The facility is modern, spacious, well-staffed and has all the amenities you'd expect from one of the largest art museums in North America. With more than 93,000 works of art, as a permanent collection, you're in for a journey around the world enriching your sight and soul with European, American, Asian, Canadian and Indigenous artwork. I highly recommend adding the National Gallery of Canada to your list of must-visit places in Ottawa. You won't regret it.

Amazing and very large museum. Our favorite was the First Nations and Aboriginal art but they also have great Quebecois art and a restored Catholic chapel in the center. We spent way more time than expected and ended up redoing all the Parliament tours the next day. The giant spider outside is so cool too.

If you're in Ottawa, this place should be in your list. First of all, the building itself from the architectural standpoint is pretty unique. I love the amount of light that gets inside when you walk through the galleries. I can't say this museum is super expensive - it's about $13 USD and is cheaper than other museums in North America (the Met in NYC was $30 USD, Guggenheim/LACMA were $25 USD). Granted, there are only two floors and about 30 rooms of paintings (Russian Hermitage in St. Petersburg has 350 rooms of paintings for scale) which you can cover in 3 hours if you read every plaque or 2 hours if you read only the ones you really like. They have classic and modern art from local and European/Asian artists + some temporary exhibits. Lastly, there is a nice café and a gift shop should you need a quick bite or to buy some presents. In addition, you can visit the Royal Canadian Mint and the Notre Dame Basilica nearby.

The National Gallery of Canada is a treasure trove of artistic masterpieces from around the world. Featuring works by renowned artists such as Monet, Emily Carr, Picasso, and Rembrandt, the gallery offers a stunning collection that showcases the diversity and beauty of the art world. The National Gallery of Canada is a must-visit destination for art enthusiasts, history buffs, and cultural explorers alike. With its impressive collection of works by Monet, Klimt, Emily Carr, Picasso, and Rembrandt, the gallery provides a rich and immersive experience that celebrates the beauty and diversity of the art world.

It wouldn't be a trip to Ottawa without a stop by the National Gallery of Canada, if only to see that big spider statue out front. (It's legitimately impressive.) We enjoyed our time exploring the various galleries, although the layout of the enormous place is a little confusing. But we nevertheless managed to see some really impressive pieces of art, including a stunning piece by one of our favorite Canadian artists, William Kurelek. The only real complaint I have about the place is its lack of family-friendly washrooms. As far as we could tell, there's not a single washroom meant for families to change their baby. I should also point out there's a real paucity of private spaces for nursing, which isn't great.

We went to many museums in Canada and this was one of the most impressive. There were many different levels and sections to this museum, and we didn't even get to see them all. Our tour guide told us that it was the third largest in the world, second only to the Louvre and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York! You can see pieces from artists like Botticelli, Klimt, Bellini, and Van Gogh. They offer a student price too, so don't forget to ask for that. We were definitely not disappointed!

The National Gallery of Canada is a must visit for art lovers, locals, and visitors to Ottawa. This beautiful 3 storey building has a nice collection of contemporary, Indigenous, Canadian and European art, housing pieces from well known artists like Monet, Van Gogh, Gauguin, and the Group of Seven in its permanent collection. The space is family-friendly, offers guided and auido tours, and activities for all ages. There is also a cafeteria, coffee shop, and restaurant on site for those who wish to spend the day here. The gallery is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm with the exception of Thursdays, where it is open until 8 pm. Admission is free for children 11 and under, Indigenous Peoples, and for all on Thursday evenings after 5 pm. It's recommended to book your free admission ticket online in advance to save time, but you can still get your ticket in person at the box office. Note that the free evenings excludes any special exhibitions. For those with a car, the gallery has an underground parking garage, or you can opt to park on the streets. The underground parking costs $2.75 per half-hour, up to a daily maximum of $14 (Members $12).

2024: now, we are able to visit. Pretty neat and organized. Has a gift shop and up to date bathroom technology. Bathrooms are clean and smells good. Has a coat place, gift shop and restaurant. Entrance is CAD 20. Child & stroller friendly place. 2022: A spacious, elegant looking and looks informative place to go to. We just dont have the time to go in. The spider statue does not make sense and looks scary for the children

Wonderful place. So much to see. Even the cafe is nice. It's a must visit for anyone living in or visiting Ottawa / Gatineau.

We had a great time at the National Gallery. Loved how open each exhibit was, very accessible. However, changing our son with Cerebral Palsy was a problem. The change pads are tiny, attached vertically (not horizontally) and not as strong. They are also middle of the bathroom, near the sinks and not in a stall. Zero privacy. Definitely something they should consider, especially as they're a national tourist destination. Integrity for all it's visitors. We ended up having to change him on the floor of the bathroom. :(

I would like to really recommend this place for people. First of all, you can look at the parliament building at good location. Secondly, this museum has a variety of art works. Especially,I really liked that this museum had a lot of paintings by famous artists, but not necessarily their most famous works. It made me realize that these artists had also created such paintings, and I really enjoyed being able to see their less well-known works.

Incredible museum. No matter what your art tastes are, they have it here. I spent about three hours here and was really taken with this collection. I think I could go to this museum everyday if I lived in Ottawa. Very friendly and helpful staff. They also have a restaurant called my Bistro that has very good food. Notre-Dame Cathedral is right across the street. This museum is not to be missed.

Gorgeous art gallery - both the building itself and the collections were amazing. There was good representation of Canadian art and culture, and we really could've spent the whole day there. It is a must for anyone visiting Ottawa!

One of the most impressive art museums I've ever visited. I spent an afternoon and that was only sufficient for the current exhibit and a cursory walkthrough of some other areas to see some specific pieces from the permanent collection. Unforgettable! The staff was so friendly and welcoming. A conversation with one of the curators gave me great insight.

Loved the Gallery! We spent all day and it was so worth it! They had a special display of women artists and also one of Indigenous peoples. Amazing! Great use of the day!

In November 2015, I visited the National Gallery of Canada (NGC) for the first time. I walked from the hotel where I was staying at in ByWard Market over to the NGC. I was in the vicinity recently. I used to the parking lot at the NGC to go visit the Royal Canadian Mint. I then realized that I never wrote a review about the NGC... until now! Back in November 2015, the major exhibition was Monet: A Bridge to Modernity. It was fabulous. I have always enjoyed the impressionism era. You could also pose for a photo during that period. I was holding an umbrella and the photo turned out nicely. After spending a few hours admiring all the exhibitions, I went to the cafe on the first floor. I indulged in truffle oil and sea salt popcorn. It was delicious! It was lunch time, so I also had smoked duck and a Diet Coke. I simply remember the smoked duck melting in my mouth with each bite. Last week, I was back, but decided not to do the Gauguin Portraits exhibit. Instead, I spent time in the gift shop, which I didn't do nearly four years ago. I loved the colourful fountain pens and quirky items, such as a Mister Rogers mug. It's a well-stocked gift shop. It's interesting how the NGC parking lot made me revisit fond memories spent here. The NGC still has free admission nights (Thursdays), so you can do the tour if you are on a budget. Otherwise, take a photo of the huge spider at the main entrance and enjoy how cheerful the exterior is. Speaking of parking, you simply drive underground and take a ticket from the machine. When you are ready to leave, pay at one of the various vending machines. I paid with a credit card and was good. (227)

I like the building. But there's surprisingly little stuff in the museum - I'd have expected something far more substantial. Happy to see an aboriginal art section at least. Despite some of the criticisms above, the place is ok - especially in light of the proximity to Parliament Hill and food and shopping nearby.

So I have been on a museum kick lately, and finally got around to the National Gallery of Canada. I usually wait for free night, which are Thursdays from 5-8 pm, but I am glad I decided to venture here on a Saturday and pay the $15 admission fee. I was super impressed with the exhibits and spent a good 3 hours here. This is the type of museum where you could literally spend the day at. There is a cafeteria on site on the level 1, a restaurant, as well as a second cup. On a nice day you could easily pack a lunch and sit out in the courtyard. I was really surprised at how kid friendly this museum is. We found two cool play areas for babies and kids on level 1. Paid parking was underground and easily accessible. If you were to see one museum in Ottawa, I highly recommend this one!

How can you not stop? Even if you are just passing through Ottawa, you need to make the time for this museum. It is very unique, and dare I say, rather quirky in a fun way. It is filled with so many interesting pieces! The building is rather imposing, heavy and enormous, but the art seems just the opposite, as much of it is rather humorous or satirical. Come on! Where else are you going to find camels hanging out or a beaver struggling to remain perched on a table? This is a place the whole family can enjoy ... provided you can get past the giant spider to get in.

The Gauguin (special) Exhibition was breathtaking. Curator has done an exceptional job in terms of the lighting, the arrangement of these priceless works of art. Gauguin was an interesting man. Lived in the South Pacific and his most precious and well known pieces reflect his experiences while living in the South Pacific. We have been to this gallery before. It is Canada's premier museum in our premier city. Even the architecture is phenomenal. The design of windows to allow natural light makes this place a great venue, any time of the year.

I'm pleasantly surprised that some of the permanent collection has been shaken up. Inuit art has been resurrected from the tomb-like basement gallery to the main level where brighter lights make these sculptures appear more alive. Karoo Ashevak's simply-named 'Figure', a cartoonish 1974 whale bone and black stone piece is one of my favorites in the entire museum and it looks great in its new home. I came to Ottawa and the gallery to see 2017 Canadian Biennial. Kent Monkman's 'Casualties of Modernity,' a 2015 mixed media installation with HD video, is a campy take on a few art genres. Shannon Bool's 'The Spinner', is a 2015 wall-hanging comprised of cotton, wool, polyester, acrylic, viscose, metal, dye. I wish I could have moved close to really see the textile details; there is a lot going on here. Ms. Bool's other piece is 'Michelangelo's Place,' a 2013 carrara marble bench featuring incised copies of graffiti -- some up to 100 years old -- from the benches at the Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence. My favorite work at the biennial is BGL's 'Canadassimo (Depanneur),' a 2015 mixed media installation replicating a depanneur, the stereotypical corner store. It all seems quite real walking through the space except the logos and labels on every item (i.e. potato chips, candy and the like) are all just slightly blurry. My visit ended in the rebuilt Rideau Chapel for what is now my long ritual every time I visit this museum: listening to the individual voices recorded in Janet Cardiff's Forty-Part Motet.

This became the focus of our trip when a rainy day prevented us from doing anything else. It is free for members, but that day, it seemed to be free for everyone The good: You can rent an electric vehicle for free. Building stunning. Art wonderful. Lots of different kinds of art from different eras. Very spacious and does not feel busy, even on a Saturday afternoon. Benches at various places. The bad: Elevators way too small for wheelchairs or electric vehicles. You can easily get lost in there and miss portions of the museum (bring a map!) No cafeteria (due to covid). Portions of the museum closed (due to covid). Covid restrictions: Staff wearing masks and disinfecting knobs and such on bathroom doors. Spacious museum make it easy to social distance. Staff controlling entrance for social distancing. Hand sanitation at entrance only. This ended up taking our whole afternoon and it was very enjoyable. A must for any art lover.

I absolutely loved seeing the National Gallery during my visit to Ottawa. It was the highlight of the day. I was lucky enough to be there on the free museum day, but admission price is kind of high if not. You could easily spend a few hours or even a whole day depending on how quickly you want to breeze through. The building itself is so unique, it makes it worth the visit just to see the architecture! Parking is also quite expensive, but we were able to find metered parking on one of the residential streets nearby.

Such an incredible space! Interior, architecture, and the art were all so engaging to look at and admire. The freakishly tall ceilings made this museum feel MASSIVE. You can spend a good 2-3hr here. I had such a great time with my friend and I'd definitely come back. Fun Fact: The huge spider-like sculpture outside has a name, and her name is MAMAN! Created in 1999 and cast in 2003, purchased by the gallery at $3.2M!!!

The National Art Gallery is an epic, lofty concrete cathedral-like place. There's just so much to see and there are new exhibits all the time from the sounds of things. Give yourself plenty of time to explore, and take advantage of the seats in the void spaces to periodically relax and process what you just saw. Careful though with taking some of those pictures of yours. Some installations have a small warning label on their description tag in the form of a crossed-out camera. Unfortunately, someone thought it was a good idea for this warning symbol to be a circular shape. Almost every description has a circular marker already that denotes a number for choosing the relevant section of the audio tour audio tour. When in doubt as to whether you can touch something, just ask one of the prevalent security guards. I say this because one exhibit can actually be walked on provided your shoes have been removed. However, there's a nearby exhibit that almost looks connected that you're not allowed to touch.

If you enjoy art, culture and architecture you will love this place. It's absolutely huge and gorgeous. Theres a cafe if you decide to get hungry, but its a bit overpriced as expected. Theres also a second cup. The art itself has tons of variety and you're bound to find something for everyone. Its divided into sections: Canadian art, Indigenous art, European/American/Asian art, Contemporary art, Prints and drawings and photography. I spent most of my time in the Canadian and Indigenous section, you could easily spent one full day here and not get through everything. There are amazing views of parliament. Highly recommend this place for family or individual interests!

This beautiful and extensive art museum is a must-see if you're an art aficionado. When I visited, the temporary exhibits were all under construction, so I only got to see the permanent exhibits. First was an area highlighting art from indigenous Canadians. This was fun and interesting to explore - it's quite different from your typical art museum fare. Second was an exhibit on classic American and European art from the medieval times to now. Think your typical sweeping landscapes, portraits of royalty, paintings of Christian subjects, marble sculptures, etc. This is the part I enjoyed the most. Some of the items are just magnificent, and there's a lot to see here. There was even a sweet volunteer who told me extra background and history behind some of the paintings. Last was an exhibit on modern art. How much you like this will depend on your stance towards certain more controversial aspects of modern art, of course. But I enjoyed some of the more abstract and unconventional pieces. I do wish that the gallery had a greater diversity of artwork. There weren't any pieces from Asia, the Middle East, or Africa. Nevertheless, what I did see was delightful. Plus, this is one of the cheaper museums in Ottawa. It's definitely worth the time and the money to see.

The National Gallery was under partial renovation. We unfortunately missed out on some of its architectural splendor. We spent our entire visit at the temporary exhibition: Impressionist Treasures of the Ordrupgaard Collection. The exhibition was well organized and the locale was great. No squeaky floors or poor lighting. There was even a few video rooms screening short documentary on the history of the Ordrupgaard Collection and the fashion trends of that time. The Collection had more variety however there are less from the big names. One a few Renoir and Monet. I am sure more can be found at Ordrupgaard Museum in Copenhagen. I look forward to return and explore the rest of the National Gallery.

This museum offers a very interesting mix of "old" European and contemporary Canadian art. I really enjoyed the overall design and separation of the musuem, the view from the huge glass windows over to the parliament is absolutely stunning. However, it did happen a few times that I felt lost in the corridors, also due to renovations I also got to see a smaller part of the actual exhibition. The current Alex Janvier Special Exibition probably fascinated me the most, and I appreciated that in addition to the artworks on the wall the musuem placed gallery books of the artist all over, giving the visitors the possibility to read up on Janvier! I also enjoyed the end of said exibition, offering the chance to write a note to Janvier.

Have always loved the diversity of special exhibits along with their standing collection. This past time I discovered the reconstructed Rideau Street Chapel hidden downstairs, which is definitely worth a stop - conveniently located next to my other favorite architectural feature, their two story indoor courtyard with activities for the children. I am not exaggerating to say I cried listening to the different voices recorded singing together. The cafes are nothing special, but a convenient place to stop in between visiting all the floors, with a good outdoor view from one of them. Recommend stopping by if you're in the area.

An awesome way to spend some time in Ottawa. The collection at this gallery is vast and very diverse. The building itself is also a stunning work of art. I loved seeing the Monet's and all of the work in the Canadian gallery.

If anyone knows of a better art gallery in Canada please let me know where it is! I've been to the National Gallery a few times and each time I've come here I am stunned by it's magnificence! I spent about 4 hours on a Thursday morning/afternoon walking through the entire gallery. I got the walking audio guided tour. It's $6 extra, but I like it cuz it gives me a different perspective on the art pieces. The audio guide often also provides some background and history on the artist and the piece. Generally, the 1st level houses Canadian artists... Contemporary and older classics. I'm not a big fan of the Group of Seven but their works seem to dominate this floor. Still I think there are lots of talented Canadian artists that don't have the cache of the European masters that don't get the credit they deserve. Check it out and judge for yourself! Level 2 is generally the European art pieces... Contemporary and the old classics. The cafeteria is located on the first level. It's a nice place to take a coffee break. I once had a discussion with a friend... He stated that 'art is not necessary'! We had a long and at times a heated discussion... All I can say is I wish he could find the time and inclination to come to the National Gallery and absorb the atmosphere! It is truly awe inspiring.... Being in the presence of all that beauty and tranquility makes us all a bit more human!

The gallery is a favorite place to go for their special exhibits - and to see what's changed in the regular exhibits as well. I seem to end up here once or twice a year, and I know I've not yet seen everything. (I really should take better advantage of it!) One thing to note: Not only is it a beautiful art gallery - but the gallery store is a *fantastic* place to find interesting gifts around Christmas. For example you can find art-based puzzles, light switch covers and umbrellas - as well as books on art and photography, silk scarves and fun educational toys for children. This is the best 'museum store' I've found. Would I return: Yes. Would I recommend: Yes

At the moment they're doing free admissions so it's a great opportunity to see Canadian art. The gallery is huge and you can spend hours here, the gift shop had some very unique art related merchandise as well. There is no route set for the gallery which made for a tiring experience, we didn't know where to walk to since everywhere looked the same. Had to just try to recognize the artwork and pick a random route to move towards. I wish they would at least create a map route people can opt to follow, rather than nothing at all.

Come on Thursdays and get into this biatch for FREE, like I did. Its a museum. Full of art. I'm not going to list all the artists or particular paintings I liked and have you reading, bored to death. So, large number of genres of art offered, plenty of outside sculptures around the building, and free coat check. Overall, definitely worth checking out. Each museum always offers new perspectives, pieces, etc. Oh, shout-out to my healthy peeps and why its not getting five stars, you cant bring water in! . I have been to museums from West to East Coast of the USA, and other cities in Canada and this is my FIRST denial. When you spend about 3-4 hrs in this place, it is a big deal. #desertthroattimeyay

Wow the National Gallery is such a lovely building. I've been here for a wedding, Ottawa Fashion week and for Doors Open I came by to check out the exhibits for free. The building and surrounding area is easily a 4 star building and if you're friendly could bump it to 5. It's not the Getty in LA by any means but a nice newer-ish building. The collection itself is decent but I find it not well laid out. Some items seem to be forced into the same room that have nothing in common. Some of the more interesting pieces are hidden and some of the more boring pieces are made center pieces were people can sit and try to appreciate when nicer pieces are in the same room that they'd rather you stand at but are 1000x more interesting. If you want to bore people and have them fall asleep on the chairs then yeah you get top marks for your layout! :P The layout is difficult to follow and at times it's hard to determine and back track what pieces you may or may not have already seen. It's a solid museum to kill time in sure but it could be much better if they worked on organizing their collection a bit better. Come learn the collection then show off on a date or something guys! 4 or 5 star building. 3.5 star for the collection.

"Count on a creative and artistic triumphant return of self after your visit." The National Gallery of Canada is housed in an alluring, modern structure of glass and concrete. If you are worried about finding it, fret not, as it's beauty will capture your eye. If not, one of Ottawa's coolest landmarks will. In 2005, the giant bronze spider, "Maman", created by Louise Bourgeois, was installed outside. It is now the landmark I am most proud of in the Nation's Capital - she's very photogenic. The Gallery is located downtown, near the Byward Market, with paid indoor parking available. As a former employee, I know the Gallery inside and out. I have noticed some commentary stating that the collection is not as big as other galleries. I can tell you that the collection is HUGE! What you see is a tiny representation of the collection. I do not remember the exact numbers, but only a small fraction of the entire collection is on display. The pieces are in constant rotation. I cannot really comment on another of the great art galleries (Paris, London, New York City), but I doubt many other galleries have the diversity that the Gallery has. The collection is divided into separate gallery spaces, featuring a variety of artworks from: Prints & Drawings, Photography, Modern & Contemporary, Indigenous, American & Canadian, European. As a former employee of Protection Services, I can tell you that photography IS NOT allowed in any of the galleries. During the summer months from May through September, the doors open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, but stay open late on Thursdays till 8 pm. The Gallery is closed on Mondays, from October though April, but is open on every other day from 10 am to 5pm. The closing of the gallery spaces begins 15 minutes before closing time. Art Lovers take note: the National Gallery of Canada has FREE ADMISSION every Thursday, from 5 to 8 pm. All day free admission days for 2012 include: Sunday May 22nd (International Museums Day), Sunday June 5th (Doors Open Ottawa), and Friday July 1rst (Canada Day). The Voice of Fire, is probably the best known piece, for all the controversy it caused when it was purchased. Surprisingly enough, it is the work that the most people ask to see. I never cared for the Group of Seven, until I was awed by the mastery of Lawren Harris. The first painting that caught my eye during my orientation was from Lawren Harris. I did not know it at the time, but every work that caught my eye in the Canadian gallery was my introduction of Lawren Harris. His works are distinct, unique and nothing like the other six. My absolute favourite work is "Untitled" (Head of a Baby), Ron Mueck's hyper-real human form. The head of a very young baby at a gargantuan scale befitting a public monument. High degree of realism in his figures, which, in turn, invites close inspection.

The last time I went in there it was in 2017 in August. I went to the gift shop. I used to go there often when I was in school to have art lessons. Now not anymore because we had to pay for parking and the o train never go downtown very disappointed.

What's with the four star reviews, Ottawans? The National Gallery is a five-star museum. I jogged to the National Gallery on a snowy Sunday afternoon in early December. I only had 90 minutes till closing time so I did the speed tour of the Canadian art -- the booming voice was chasing me out before I could get to the special exhibits. The Gallery is housed in a beautiful building with an even better setting overlooking the Ottawa River. First Nation art from the appropriate time period is mixed in with European style sculpture and paintings. Very cool. The 20th Century collection is extraordinary. Not wild about the huge spider sculpture out front, but I can see where it's a crowd pleaser for school kids on field trips.

I visited the gallery Canada day weekend - they also have free entry on Thursday evenings. The architecture is simply stunning - you can see Parliament through the windows on the second floor, there's lots of light, an indoor pond and even an indoor courtyard. My favourite part by far was the Forty-Part Motet, found inside the Rideau Chapel (accessible through the garden/courtyard). Inside the chapel are 40 standing speakers in a large circle; each one playing a recording of a singer's voice. You'll find several benches in the middle to rest your legs. When you sit/stand in the middle and close your eyes, it actually seems like there is a chorus of singers around you. You can stand next to each speaker and hear the individual parts and voices. It was absolutely incredible and I hope it's a permanent installation because I'd love to see it again!!

This is a nice museum that has some really great artwork, however I was disappointed for two reasons. First, a big part of the museum featuring Canadian artists was closed for renovations which means we didn't spend as much time there as we had planned. Second, the museum shop had a lot of stuff for sale but a good majority of it was for works that were in other museums. There were some paintings I was quite enamored with and would have liked getting postcards or prints to take home but they had none. We also had a burger in the cafe and it was pretty decent. If you are an art lover and find yourself in Ottawa, it's worth a look. However, after going to the Getty Center in Los Angeles, the Art Institute of Chicago and the various galleries in Washington DC, it was a little bit of a letdown.

This review is just for the gift shop of the gallery. Hubby & I dropped by the gift shop as it was on one of the Hop on Hop Off stops for the tour bus. The gift shop has some nice items that are affordable. I find museum gift shops often jack up the prices to ridiculous amounts but this one wasn't too bad price wise.

The National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa is a fine museum. I would recommend it to art buffs and non-art buffs alike. The photography exhibits are well done and were the overall highlight for myself. I feel like this art gallery does fall short of it's counterpart in Vancouver Art Gallery. I feel like the Gallery in Ottawa had too much emphasis on quantity and not enough on selectiveness. The Vancouver Gallery features a more focused, and localized selection of artists. But overall I would strongly recommend visiting the National Gallery of Canada, it is however a long half day activity, so plan ahead.

The National Gallery of Canada is a fantastic example of Canadian architecture and design. So often when I'm walking through, I stop and look at the building as it in itself is art. From the beautiful vaulted ceilings, to the gorgeous views of the Ottawa river, to the amazing amount of natural light that permeates the building, this is a Canadian treasure. I have been to many museums. In fact, I am a bit of a museum junkie. The NGC holds it own against many of the galleries that I have seen in Canada, the United States, and through Europe. Last night, I had the good fortune to take in the special exhibit for M.C. Escher: The Mathemagician. I've been wanting to see this since it first came to the gallery, so when a friend mentioned an interest, this gave me the push to finally make the time and I'm so glad that I did! I have loved Escher for many years. I was first drawn in by his "Relativity" lithograph (more commonly known as the stairs that go up and down and defy gravity). The way he played with illusion and the manner in which his drawings tricked the eyes, left me wanting more. I would enjoy following the lines, turning pictures back and forth, moving them closer and further away from my face, much in the same way that children will stare at hidden 3D optical illusions waiting until the picture pops out at them. More recently, what drew me back to Escher was a TED talk by Philip Zimbardo of the Stanford Prison Experiment fame (or infamy?!). In the talk, Zimbardo describes Escher's "Circle Limit IV" which is an illusion depicting angels and demons where the eye can only really effectively focus on either the angels or demons at one time. Zimbardo explains Escher's illusion in his book "The Lucifer Effect: How Good People Turn Evil": "Three psychological truths emerge from Escher's illusion. First, the world is filled with good and evil -- was, is, will always be. Second, the barrier between good and evil is permeable and nebulous. And third, it is possible for angels to become demons and, perhaps more difficult to conceive, for devils to become angels" (Zimbardo, 3, 2008). Zimbardo's explanation, which so starkly depicts the human condition, left me compelled to study this picture in detail. The opportunity to see it in person was too good to pass up. I was not disappointed to see it in person. A lovely feature of special exhibits is that, unlike in regular exhibits, you can take flashless photography. My friends and I spent a lot of time in the Escher exhibit, where we were able to pose next to our favourites. On this particular visit, I also went to check out the indoor gardens, where I chatted with an aspiring artist/ Fine Arts student doing some hand drawing, some of the Canadian Modern Art exhibits, and the Rideau Centre Convent Chapel. This was my first time in the Chapel. It's best feature is the booming chorus music which is both incredible and daunting. The National Gallery of Canada is a worthwhile venture any day of the week, but I will say a Thursday night is great for a couple of reasons. First, unlike weekends, it isn't super busy. I never had to wait to see anything. Second, Thursday from 5-8 is free for the public and this includes special exhibits. Take the opportunity to get in and explore M.C. Escher's: Mathemagician before it's gone! I'll likely be going back for a second go!

It was a pleasure to see so many great pieces from Canadian artists. There is a vast collection of both historical and contemporary works but the highlight, for me, was the first time seeing Cezanne's 'Portrait of a Peasant'. The café had some surprisingly good food and the views from the café patio are marvellous.

It's $9 to get in. Lots of interesting art pieces from a variety of genres and periods. Unfortunately, the gallery doesn't have a good flow, and there's no efficient way to cover all the exhibits. The reason may be that there are just too many pieces to fit in? Anyway, despite going in several circles, missing some rooms, and covering others twice, I managed to gain some culture EXP. I found the modern art exhibit to be extremely ridiculous, but it actually ended up being my favorite part, because several of them were actually quite interesting!! (not the line of bricks or the pile of carpet, though). Seems to be a great event venue, too - sure enough, they were setting up for a wedding while I was there.

I love being alone in a great big museum, this is perfect zen to me, sun streaming through huge windows, following your eye towards things that give you joy, stopping to sit and soak in beauty, and the National Gallery is ideal for this. The layout is unpredictable, it keeps opening up in tall long inspiring halls or tiny bright squares full of light where you didn't expect them, and there are big comfy chairs everywhere and sculpture you can touch. The permanent collection has some real joyous gems in it, and right now there is incredible Inuit art in the basement, a huge Christmas tree surrounded by windows looking out on the river and the Parliament buildings, and utterly dreamy and delirious contemporary art that had me swooning and taking notes. The food in the cafe and bistro area was only medium but the service was friendly and fast and the wine did what wine should in the late afternoon sitting in the setting sun with a heart full of art.

I'm a huge fan of the National Gallery of Canada. I've been there a few times and I still don't think I've seen the whole thing. It doesn't look that big from the outside but once you're inside there is a lot to see. Great place to go on a date! It IS a little expensive...but that's understandable for what it is. I usually try to go on Thursdays after 5pm when admission is free.

First off, this museum looks fantastic from the outside. The multiple steeples of glass and the unusual layout grab your eye's attention without contest. Of course, then you'll see the massive freakin' spider statue out front and have nightmare flashbacks to War of the Worlds, but nothing's perfect. In seriousness, it's a very complicated statue, and I'm sure it's wonderful, but I have a very rational fear of home-sized spiders. There was a very nice Van Gouh exhibition when we went, and the art gallery stores an intimidating amount of art. Many of those pieces I found touching. The nature of the ceilings in the steeple sections make it clear that this gallery is meant to house a series of events, and the small garden area near the Chapel in the European Art section is so serene I swear it could touch even the most embroiled soul. Near the cafeteria lies a giant lightning spire spreading up into the sky like the sky itself were splitting apart. While I am by no means a modern art expert (I usually make fun of it), I found this particular piece fascinating. But it's not perfect. For one, the layout of the gallery is pretty awful. It's a maze of interconnected square rooms, and this makes sequential navigation unnecessarily complicated. The modern art exhibit itself was absurd to me, but like we covered, it's not my thing. The final weakness of the gallery is the pricing of the food. I get that you pay for location, but your options are to pay $18 for a sandwich at one end, or to pay $5 for the kind of sandwich you would literally make at home. If you're an art type and you don't get lost easy, definitely check this out. Just get food to eat elsewhere first.

Love the Gallery! Especially the Group of Seven artists. I take my grandkids especially for the kids programs. Great on a rainy Sunday afternoon!