Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Québec Opens C$84m Espace Riopelle-Michael Audain Pavilion
On 22 October, the Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Québec (MNBAQ) will launch the Espace Riopelle-Michael Audain Pavilion. This 5,000 sq. m. structure, crafted by FABG Architectes, is inspired by the rustic studio of Jean Paul Riopelle and spans three stories. Initially announced in 2022, the C$84m project saw its budget increase, with over C$40m provided by the Québec government and at least C$20m from the Jean Paul Riopelle Foundation. Philanthropist Michael Audain, alongside his wife Yoshiko Karasawa and Pierre Lassonde, contributed more than 60 Riopelle artworks, raising Audain's total donations to over C$90m. The pavilion includes four exhibition spaces, featuring Riopelle's triptych L'Hommage à Rosa Luxemburg (1992). MNBAQ director Jean-Luc Murray emphasizes the significance of having a dedicated area for Riopelle.
Key facts
- The Espace Riopelle-Michael Audain Pavilion at MNBAQ opens 22 October
- The pavilion cost C$84m ($61m), with the budget more than doubling since the 2022 announcement
- The Québec government contributed more than C$40m; the Jean Paul Riopelle Foundation gave at least C$20m
- Michael Audain, Yoshiko Karasawa and Pierre Lassonde donated more than 60 works by Riopelle and contemporaries
- Including gifted works, Audain's contribution exceeds C$90m
- FABG Architectes of Montreal designed the three-storey, 5,000-plus sq. m. building
- A circular gallery is dedicated to Riopelle's 40m-long L'Hommage à Rosa Luxemburg (1992)
- Jean Paul Riopelle lived 1923-2002 and was Québec's most famous Modern artist
Entities
Artists
- Jean Paul Riopelle
- Michael Audain
- Yoshiko Karasawa
- Pierre Lassonde
- Paul Gauguin
- Jean-Luc Murray
- Rosa Luxemburg
- Joan Mitchell
- André Gilbert
- Hadani Ditmars
- Jean Siag
Institutions
- Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Québec
- Jean Paul Riopelle Foundation
- FABG Architectes
- The Art Newspaper
- Espace Riopelle–Michael Audain Pavilion
- Automatistes
- Art Newspaper
- La Presse
- Smithsonian Magazine
Locations
- Québec City
- Canada
- Montreal
- Plains of Abraham
- Saint Lawrence River
- Quebec City
- Quebec
- St. Lawrence River