A Place for Art: The Architecture of the National Gallery of Canada

Denise C. Jakal is a architecture writer in Edmonton.

This book on the new National Gallery of Canada building, which was
designed by architect Moshe Safdie, is carefully constructed and
beautifully illustrated.

The text is organized into three chapters. Chapter 1 concerns itself
with the evolution of art collections (from private to public
institutions) and with the cultural and social expectations that
followed the democratization of the art experience. This chapter remains
accessible to the layperson while touching on some complex issues, such
as the effect of the public art museum on the production of art objects
themselves.

Chapter 2 charts the history of the art museum as a specific building
type that emerged in the late 18th century. In crisp, economical prose,
the author traces many famous examples and their specific contributions
to the evolution of art-gallery design. Finally, Chapter 3 relates the
history of the National Gallery and provides a close examination of
Safdie’s work.

This book is an excellent resource for anyone interested in
architectural achievement in Canada; Rybczynski helps us to understand
Safdie’s design decisions in a manner that can only enhance our
appreciation of the National Gallery of Canada.