Beaverbrook Art Gallery — Attraction in Fredericton

We were staying at Hilton Gardens, about 5 minutes walk. We went twice in a 6 day visit to Fredericton. Friday evening about 6 ish. There was an event occupying about 1/2 of the gallery we were not allowed to vist, but we got to see the gallery collection of masters and some modern art. They have a surprisingly broad collection of Reynolds, Constable, Group of Seven, Carr, 14th century works as well as a Monkman with Chief Eagletesticle, current events, interactive work and more. We spent 2 hours including an Artist's talk in the basement discussing his 3d animation work.

A couple of days later we went back to see the half we missed and it was just as impressive. Mostly more modern works by people I haven't heard of (which means nothing, I am not particularly knowledgeable about modern art) but there dies seem to be emphasis on Canadian work.

I was particularly interested in the first nations work, an exhibition of Kentucky Asheville looked remarkably related to the Woodland Style of Norway Morrisseau I am more familiar with being from the prairies.

The cafe was very good too. Nice place for a cuppa while you rested up a bit. They had a menu item called Cream Egg, which I assumed was some sort of sweet treat (thinking of Cadbury Eggs) but turned out to be a nice hot and filling soup. Sort of like a potato and bacon chowder served over a soft boiled egg. Really good and a very adequate lunch.

We were there during the eclipse of 2024 so there were also family related artsy activities for families and visitors on Sunday which were fun too.

All in all, I would recommend a visit, and since I only get to Fredericton infrequently I will make sure to visit every time as the content...

A Canadian treasure. It's been renovated since the last time I was there, and they seem to have done a serious expansion, including the addition of an absolutely amazing cafe.

If you like art galleries, you must go. If you don't, go anyway and have them change your mind.

They have everything from early Canadian art by European-trained artists, to FNMI art both contemporary and earlier, to local artists, to students having their first showing, and so much more.

Obviously everyone should go see Santiago el Grande. It's just a thing you should do. Subject yourself to a sense of awe every once in a while.

But I also enjoyed "Equestrian Fantasy" and "James Dunn (La Turbie)" and the story behind those.

And it is so affordable. We brought kids, and one was not feeling well so we had to leave, and we still felt we got great value for our money. So don't let only having enough time to see part of the gallery get in your way.

Finally, just go to the cafe. If I could have eaten there every day I would have. The prices are great, the food is amazing, the coffee is fantastic, and the deserts... oh, the deserts! Not to be missed.

P.S. If you like architecture, the original Mid-Century modern building is still largely intact. By memory, I loved the terrazzo flooring and use of brass. And it blends almost seamlessly with the multiple Modernist additions. It's a building to see if you want to see the opposite of the ROM...

My favorite Artist Dalí !! Santiago El Grande is one of only 20 masterworks the artist produced in his lifetime and the centrepiece of the Beaverbrook Art Gallery collection. This painting is of James the Great, the patron saint of Spain, who, it is said, appeared in a dream to King Ramirez of León, promising him victory in his battle against the Moors in the nineteenth-century Battle of Clavijo. The next morning an apparition of Saint James appeared and led the Christians into a victorious battle. “Santiago y cierra España” (“Saint James and strike for Spain”) has become the battle cry of Spanish armies.

The painting combines many favourite Dalí elements. A religious theme combined with atomic reference that has at its centre a jasmine flower, a Catalan countryside and the Mediterranean Sea, his wife and muse Gala, as well as Dalí himself as a boy asleep on the beach. Sitting at the foot of this four-meter high Dalí, you get the 3-D effect of Saint James and his rearing horse.

The painting was exhibited at the 1958 World’s Fair in Brussels, and was to be sold to an American who was then going to donate it to the Spanish government for the Real Monasterio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial, near Madrid. Dalí claims that he changed his mind after a ride in a Dunn & Company elevator. This inspired Dalí to sell the painting to the recently widowed Lady Dunn, who then donated it to the Beaverbrook Art Gallery just before...