A travelling exhibition produced by the Canadian War Museum.
This exhibition is a continuation of The Reach’s presentation of historical art exhibitions that examine art historical events and artists from both national and international perspectives.
The Navy: A Century in Art features paintings from the unparalleled Beaverbrook Collection of War Art. From dramatic depictions of the Battle of the Atlantic to intimate portraits of life at sea, some of Canada’s best artists have captured the Canadian naval experience in times of war and peace. Their works show us the human face of this experience, while helping to illuminate the important role that the Navy has played in Canadian history for the past 100 years.
The Canadian Navy is the product of Canada’s people, geography and wars. A focal point for service, comradeship and pride for more than a century, the Navy remains a potent symbol of Canadian identity and a valued instrument of Canadian statecraft. In the early moments of the Navy’s 2nd century, these paintings reflect quietly on the legacy of its first. They capture the diverse roles, traditions and key moments for this national institution. The exhibition features 46 paintings from many of Canada’s leading war artists and demonstrates how geography, history and war have shaped the navy through its first century of service. This exhibition features paintings from both official and unofficial war artists, including Arthur Lismer, Alex Colville, Harold Beament, Donald C. Mackay, Anthony Law, Ted Zuber and Pegi Nicol MacLeod. The oceans that surround Canada on its Atlantic, Arctic and Pacific coasts have protected our nation from external threats, and connected it to global conflicts. This dual role — security at home and service abroad — has defined the Canadian Navy for a century. The exhibition is therefore organized in four thematic sections: A Canadian Navy, The Navy at Sea, The Navy’s Wars and its Legacy.
