June 6, 2014
Ottawa (Ont.) – To mark the Art Gallery of Hamilton’s 100th anniversary this weekend, Canada Post is issuing a new commemorative envelope featuring a selection of masterworks from the gallery’s permanent collection. The commemorative envelope showcases eight well-known works including The Phantom Hunter by William Blair Bruce; The Birch Grove, Autumn, by Tom Thomson; Bacchante with Roses by Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux; Ice House, Coldwell, Lake Superior by Lawren Harris; Forbidden Fruit by George Reid; Sunset and Tumult by Emily Carr; Rest by Adrien Karbowsky and Bruegel-Bosch Bus by Kim Adams.
The masterworks represent the breadth and depth of the AGH permanent collection which is recognized as one of the best in Canada. The collection includes more than 10,000 works and is focused on 19th century European, Canadian historical and contemporary art. The Phantom Hunter featured on the front of the envelope was one of 29 paintings donated to the City of Hamilton by the Bruce family after the artist’s premature death in 1906. This gift resulted in the gallery being established in 1914.
“Canada Post is pleased to join the celebration of the Art Gallery of Hamilton’s 100th anniversary with this commemorative envelope,” says Jim Phillips, Director of Stamp Services. “This anniversary is the perfect opportunity to showcase these special works and the Art Gallery they call home.”
“Over the past 100 years, the Art Gallery of Hamilton has become one of Canada’s finest art museums,” says Louise Dompierre, President and CEO, Art Gallery of Hamilton. “The Art Gallery of Hamilton takes pride in its groundbreaking exhibitions, outstanding community and educational programming, and a permanent collection that has grown in size from 29 works in 1914 to more than 10,000 a century later.”
The Art Gallery of Hamilton is regarded as a vital centre of creative development and artistic engagement that brings art and people of all ages together. It is also renowned as a North American centre for the study of 19th-century European art.
The Art Gallery of Hamilton commemorative envelope was designed by Katie Deering of Canada Post Graphic Design, and 8,000 envelopes were printed by Lowe-Martin Group. The envelope measures 170 mm by 115 mm. Images are from the Art Gallery of Hamilton. To purchase philatelic products, please visit canadapost.ca/shop.
