The A.K. Prakash Foundation, founded by Canadian art patron and scholar Ash K. Prakash, has donated 50 paintings by Canadian artist James Wilson Morrice to the National Gallery of Canada.
Morrice is a well-known Canadian Modernist landscape painter. Born in Montreal, he originally pursued law, but changed careers to pursue painting and moved to Europe in 1890, where he settled in Paris permanently. Today’s donation honours the 150th anniversary of Morrice’s birth.
The donation will substantially strengthen the gallery’s holdings, which already held the largest collection of Morrice works. The A.K. Prakash Collection was the most significant private collection of the artist’s work.
“The collection represents a governing force of my life’s work,” said Prakash in a statement. “It is my gift to Canada donated in the hope that Morrice will inspire and enrich the lives of my fellow citizens and help remind us that Canadian art stands with the best in the world.”
One of the gallery’s exhibition rooms will be named the Ash K. Prakash Gallery for 25 years in recognition of the donation, which is valued at more than $20 million.
Key works from the donation are on view at the gallery beginning today.
