De Grandmaison’s work gifted to Lethbridge Art Gallery

BMO Financial Group has donated 67 original pastel portraits by Nicholas de Grandmaison (1892-1978) from its art collection to the University of Lethbridge Art Gallery. The collection, which is valued at more than $1.66 million, spans a period of over 30 years and traces the development of de Grandmaison’s talent and facility as one of the most important painters and portraitists of western First Nations people in Canada. De Grandmaison was well-known and beloved in the south and before his death in 1978 he was made an Honourary Chief of the Peigan Nation. University of Lethbridge President Mike Mahon says the portraits are of special significance due to the fact that de Grandmaison created most of his work in southern Alberta capturing the individual histories and personalities of those he painted. “Future projects include conducting an oral history project about the artist and the First Nations subjects in the portraits as well as commissioning First Nations artists to produce new work in response to the BMO donation. This generous gift will significantly enhance our collection, exhibitions, and public programs and thus be an excellent resource for our community,” said Director/Curator of the University of Lethbridge Art Gallery, Dr. Josephine Mills. The University of Lethbridge Art Gallery has scheduled an exhibition of selected works from the BMO gift from May 2 to June 27.