Over 10,000 objects strong and 100+ years in the making, the AGH permanent collection is one of the finest in Canada. Recognized for its significance, breadth, and depth, the collection is core to our history and identity.
Canadian Collection
The Canadian collection is distinguished in part through a great number of iconic works, including Alex Colville’s Horse and Train, William Kurelek’s This is the Nemesis, and William Blair Bruce’s Phantom Hunter. Our current priorities for building the Canadian collection include Indigenous artists and artists from our region.
Contemporary Collection
The contemporary collection serves to constellate Canadian and International cultural production within global contemporary practices. The collection is comprised of works in a range of media including photography, painting, drawing, sculpture, installation, video and new media.
International Collection
The International collection spans five centuries and boasts strong holdings of historical American, African, Asian and European (primarily French, British, Dutch and Italian) art. This collection was transformed in 2002 and 2010 through major donations from collectors Joey and Toby Tanenbaum.
From the Contemporary Art Collection
Clown d'Amsterdam
Karel Appel (Dutch 1920-2006)
acrylic on wood, Gift of the artist, 1976
© Karel Appel Foundation / SODRAC (2016)