A Sunday Spent at the National Gallery of Canada

A Sunday at the National Gallery of Canada: A Journey Through Timeless Portraits and Still Lifes

Visiting the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa this past Sunday was just as unforgettable as my first visit there over three years ago. As an art history student, I always find the encounter with the gallery’s diverse collection both inspiring, intellectually stimulating and, made all the more special when visited with someone you love. Among the many treasures, five works stood out for their captivating histories and artistic mastery: *Portrait of Henrietta Skerrett Montalba* by Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll,  *Portrait of Countess Anna Ivanova Tolstaya* by Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun, *Statue of Fate and Love* by Gustave Doré, *Portrait of a Woman (after a 16th-century Florentine Drawing)* by Edgar Degas, and *Still Life with Peaches and Grapes* by Anne Vallayer-Coster. Below, I delve a bit more into the biographies of these remarkable artists and explore the significance of these works.

Portrait of Henrietta Skerrett Montalba, 1882—  Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll 

Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll (1848–1939), was a British royal and accomplished artist. She was the daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Known for her independent spirit, she pursued a career in sculpture and painting, breaking conventions of her time for royal women. She studied art seriously, attending the National Art Training School in London, and became an accomplished sculptor with works exhibited publicly, including several commissions. 

Throughout her life, Princess Louise balanced her royal duties with her artistic passions, contributing to arts and society. She is remembered as a talented artist who challenged traditional roles for women in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

*Portrait of Henrietta Skerrett Montalba* (1856–1893) showcases another female artist, with an intimate and elegant sensibility. The composition highlights Montalba’s poised demeanour and thoughtful expression, conveying both her artistic intellect and gentle character. Princess Louise’s skillful brushwork captures delicate facial features and the soft textures of clothing with subtle naturalism. The muted color palette and balanced lighting emphasize the sitter’s serene presence, creating a timeless tribute to a fellow female artist during the Victorian era. This work not only reflects the artistic camaraderie between two accomplished women but also exemplifies Princess Louise’s talent as a painter deeply engaged with her subjects’ inner lives.

Portrait of Countess Anna Ivanova Tolstaya, 1796 — Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun

Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun (1755–1842) was one of the most celebrated portraitists of the 18th century, recognised for her elegant depictions of European aristocracy. A favoured artist of Marie Antoinette, Vigée Le Brun’s career spanned decades during which she combined Rococo charm with Neoclassical refinement. Fleeing from France at the beginning of the revolution, she spent the next decade in exile, mainly in St. Petersburg. 

It was there that she painted Countess Tolstaya (1774-1825). Her *Portrait of Countess Anna Ivanova Tolstaya* conveys the grace and intellectual presence of the Russian noblewoman. Capturing the Countess in a thoughtful pose, with soft light enhancing the delicate textures of fabric and skin. Caually posed in a somewhat wild surrounding wearing an unusually simple dress inspired by Greek and possibly Roman examples, Vigée Le Brun’s mastery of capturing personality shines here, as the Countess’ beauty is intimately paired with a subtle psychological depth, reflecting her social status and personal nature. The portrait holds the promise of a life freed from societal constraints, one that is more intouch with the natural world. 

Statue of Fate and Love, 1877 — Gustave Doré

Gustave Doré (1832–1883) is best known as an illustrator and engraver, with iconic work in literary classics such as Dante’s *Divine Comedy*. Less known but equally compelling is his sculptural work, among which *Statue of Fate and Love* stands out.

This statue, his first to be exhibited, explores the classical themes of destiny and passion, embodied through two entwined figures, Atropos and Eros (Cupid). Doré’s dramatic style, characterised by dynamic poses and detailed textures, evokes a sense of struggle and harmony between these powerful forces. Atropos, the eldest of the Fates, three sisters who set the span of an individual's life by the cutting of a thread of life spun, in Doré's interpretation, is cutting not the thread of life but the string of Cupid's bow. The symbol of his power. Love, and with it, youth and beauty, is fleeting. The statue invites viewers to contemplate the eternal tension between human desires and the randomness of fate, rendered in a Romantic and deeply theatrical manner. 

Portrait of a Woman (after a 16th-century Florentine Drawing), c. 1858-1859 — Edgar Degas

Edgar Degas (1834–1917), a key figure of the French Impressionist movement, was celebrated for his innovative approach to capturing everyday scenes and human forms. Although most famous for his ballerinas, Degas was also a skilled draftsman who often reinterpreted classical works. During his first trip to Florence in 1858, a visit to the Uffizi Gallery sparked an age-old artistic tradition of copying the old masters. One such work was of a red-chalk drawing of a woman, attributed to Leonardo da Vinci. Degas produced this painting from his copy of the Renaissance drawing. 

This *Portrait of a Woman* is a fascinating study that bridges Renaissance art and modern sensibilities. Degas’ adaptation preserves the poised elegance of the original while adding his impressionistic touch — loose brushwork and subtle chromatic shifts. The work reflects Degas’ admiration for classical art and his continuous quest to reinterpret tradition through a contemporary lens.

Still Life with Peaches and Grapes, c.1770s — Anne Vallayer-Coster

Anne Vallayer-Coster (1744–1818) was a pioneering female artist in 18th-century France, renowned especially for her still life's and floral paintings. Known for her exceptional attention to detail and vibrant use of colour, she was admitted to the prestigious Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture, a notable achievement for a woman of her time. 

In *Still Life with Peaches and Grapes*, Vallayer-Coster demonstrates her mastery of texture and light, rendering the fruits with a luscious realism that almost tempts the viewer to touch and taste. The arrangement emphasizes natural beauty and abundance, with subtle shadows and reflective highlights breathing life into the composition. This work is a testament to her ability to elevate everyday subjects to art of refined elegance.

Conclusion  

Sunday’s visit to the National Gallery of Canada offered a profound journey across different centuries, styles, and cultural contexts. The featured works not only highlight the artistic achievements of their creators but also invite us to reflect on the enduring human themes of beauty, identity, fate, and nature. Each painting and sculpture tells a story, enriched by the biographies of the artists behind them — a rich tapestry that every art lover and scholar would cherish exploring should they be willing to look and listen.