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After years of planning and construction, Quebec City is getting a first look at an $84-million pavilion dedicated to housing the work of painter and sculptor Jean Paul Riopelle. <\/p>\n
The Montreal-born artist rose to fame in France after the Second World War and helped introduce abstract impressionism in Paris in the 1950s. He is often considered one of Canada\u2019s most influential artists and, come October, about 130 of his pieces will be featured in the new pavilion at the Mus\u00e9e national des beaux-arts du Qu\u00e9bec (MNBAQ).<\/p>\n
The idea of creating a permanent space for some of his masterpieces started in 2020, says Jean-Luc Murray, general manager of the MNBAQ.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was more an exploratory discussion about what the museum could do,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSix years later, we’re getting ready to open this amazing space that will host the best and most important collection of Riopelle in the world.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
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A part of the museum pictured under construction for the new pavilion in October 2025. The project is made possible through a partnership and contributions from the Quebec government, Quebec City, the museum and the Jean Paul Riopelle Foundation. (Olivia Laperri\u00e8re-Roy\/Radio-Canada)<\/p>\n
Among the pieces that will be featured in the new pavilion is the expansive 40-metre-long L’Hommage \u00e0 Rosa Luxemburg \u2014 a piece Murray refers to as one of the museum\u2019s masterpieces, which it acquired in the early 2000s.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He says this new pavilion was designed around how to best house the art, with the L’Hommage \u00e0 Rosa Luxemburg serving as an example.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a big challenge,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was not easy, you know, the size. And we had the crazy idea to present it in an innovative way, to show it in a circular room like the Nymph\u00e9as [Water Lilies], the Monet that you can see at the Orangerie in Paris.\u201d<\/p>\n
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L\u2019Hommage \u00e0 Rosa Luxemburg by Jean Paul Riopelle was last displayed in the museum in 2025 but will soon be featured in the new Riopelle pavilion come October. (Steve Breton\/Radio-Canada)<\/p>\n
The museum\u2019s relationship with Riopelle and his work dates back to the 50s, says Murray. As one of the most notable Quebec artists, Murray says the Riopelle pavilion was \u201cmeant to happen in our museum.\u201d<\/p>\n
After getting access to the storage facility following the construction, Murray says the next steps will be to fill the space with the collection.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The project is made possible through a partnership and contributions from the Quebec government, Quebec City, the museum and the Jean Paul Riopelle Foundation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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