Alfred Pellan is back at the Foreign Office. The two paintings by the Quebec painter, which had been removed from the ministry’s entrance hall in favour of a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, are now hanging timidly on an adjacent wall.

The two paintings had been swapped on the eve of the visit of Prince William and his wife Kate in the summer of 2011. Instead of the Quebec painter’s colourful paintings, diplomats and visitors to the ministry are now greeted by a large reproduction of a portrait of the Queen, which sits above the reception desk – where the Pellans have been since the Queen opened the building in 1973.

Controversial decision

The decision caused a stir among ministry employees, art lovers and the PQ opposition in Quebec. Foreign Ministry officials therefore noted that Pellan’s paintings were returned, albeit discreetly, this Monday. The large canvases – ordered for the opening of the first Canadian mission in Rio de Janeiro in 1944 – now hang on an adjacent wall on the side of the entrance hall where visitors to the ministry wait.

“ Both paintings were removed in 2011 to make way for the Sovereign’s Wall, a fitting tribute to our head of state, Queen Elizabeth II, on the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee in 2012 »recalled a ministry spokesman. “ Following the return of Pellan’s two paintings from the Musée des beaux-arts de Québec, where they were on display, the works were hung in the Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development lobby, where all Canadians visiting the building can benefit from them »Ian Trites explained via email.

Direct MNBAQ

Discarding the images Canada East And Canada West (one depicting fishermen and sailboats, the other totem poles and mountains) was a cause for celebration at the National Museum of Fine Arts of Quebec (MNBAQ). At the opening of a new pavilion with four permanent exhibitions presenting four personalities of modern Quebec art, one of its rooms is dedicated to the drawings, prints and paintings of Alfred Pellan. The two works rejected by the Ministry were therefore loaned to the museum for a few months. To the great delight of the institution, which was proud of it. “ First »Since the two paintings had been in the entrance hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for forty years, this was the first time that they had been exhibited in Quebec, the MNBAQ was told on Monday.

The museum was also pleased to present an information document introducing the exhibition “ two masterful frescoes » « that are likely to attract visitors’ attention ». “ We must therefore take this unique opportunity to appreciate them in real life. ! »demanded the MNBAQ in its press release last February. The work was returned to the ministry in June.

Mr Trites stressed that the Ministry had done this “ always intended [s’]Make sure Pellan’s two paintings are back on the walls of the Ministry ».

90,000 US dollars each

At the time of the change of scenery three years ago, officials toyed with the idea of ​​selling the two paintings by the famous Quebec artist, each valued by the ministry at $90,000. But that possibility was quickly discarded when news of their replacement in the Ottawa building’s entrance made headlines, as The Canadian Press subsequently revealed. We then considered displaying them elsewhere in the ministry, particularly in the lobby.

Not only had the Queen made her way into the diplomatic precinct in Ottawa, but in September of that year, Minister John Baird also ordered that all of his diplomatic missions abroad display a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. The painting was to be added to the portraits of the Governor General, Prime Minister and Minister displayed in all Canadian embassies.

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