MNBAQ opens $84M Espace Riopelle - Michael Audain Pavilion dedicated to Jean Paul Riopelle

QUEBEC.- The Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec (MNBAQ) began a new chapter with the grand opening of the Espace Riopelle – Michael Audain Pavilion . The new building is a lasting tribute from the centennial celebrations for artist Jean Paul Riopelle (1923–2002), honouring the work of one of the most influential Québec and Canadian artists of the 20th century.

Designed by multi -award-winning Québec firm Les architectes FABG , this three storey, over 5,600 m² building is the largest space entirely dedicated to a Canadian artist . The $84M project is the result of a major partnership between the Government of Québec, the City of Québec, and the philanthropic community. It is intended to promote and preserve the artistic legacy of the internationally renowned painter, sculptor, and lithographer.

This building on the historic Plains of Abraham is the fourth in the museum complex. The visitor experience extends both indoors and out: the interior features spacious galleries and pleasant common areas, while the outdoor terraces and gardens are landsca ped to reflect the rich diversity of Québec plant life.

With its breathtaking views of the Plains and the St. Lawrence River, the Espace Riopelle offers a unique interplay between art, architecture, and nature, where the grandeur of the landscape amplifies the magnificence of the art to fully immerse visitors i n Riopelle’s world.

MORE THAN 230 MAJOR WORKS TO ADMIRE

Jean Paul Riopelle (1923–2002) was an artist associated with the Automatiste movement whose body of work, which drew deeply on Québec’s natural world, earned him a prominent place in the history of modern art. As early as the 1940s, his free spirited, gestural style raised the profile of Canadian art around the globe. He remains an important figure in the Automatiste and Abstraction Lyrique movements to this day.

The new space houses more than 130 works by Riopelle (including paintings, sculptures, and prints) drawn from the largest public collection dedicated to his art . Visitors can also experience around 100 pieces by other artists who shaped the history of modern art in Québec in a new display of the national collection.

SPOTLIGHT ON AN EXTRAORDINARY DONATION

The new pavilion, named in honour of Michael Audain , features numerous recent acquisitions, including select works from an exceptional collection of 63 pieces —46 of which are by Riopelle — donated by the philanthropist and his wife Yoshiko Karasawa, as well as by Pierre Lassonde . These include extremely rare works by Riopelle, as well as pieces from his early and late career that illustrate the full depth and richness of his body of work. The major donation is now valued at more than $125M.

AN EMOTIONAL, SENSORY JOURNEY

In the four inaugural exhibitions over three floors, innovative outreach initiatives meet immersive exhibition design that puts emotional and sensory experiences at the forefront.

The first exhibition is Riopelle . The Expression of Gesture , a major retrospective that illuminates the breadth and diversity of Riopelle’s 50+ year career. Themed sections explore his Automatiste paintings, his famous “mosaics” from the 1950s, and pieces from his bestiary. It also features numerous lithographs in spired by France and Québec—his two home bases—as well as his astonishing mixed -media works from his later years. The sheer depth and breadth of the works on display make this exhibition one of the largest ever dedicated to the artist.

Next, Challenging offers a new take on the national modern art collection , bringing together works from some 50 artists who shaped Québec’s modern art scene. The exhibition focuses on the Automatistes and explores the multidisciplinary nature of their practice. Visitors can also use the Musée’s AI -powered chatbot to dive deeper into the works on display in both exhibitions.

On the third floor, a light-soaked room serves as a stunning backdrop for a nearly 360° display of the monumental Tribute to Rosa Luxemburg (1992), which spans over 40 metres. This new presentation allows visitors to truly surround themselves with the artist’s masterpiece. It is complemented by Breathing in Riopelle , an experience developed by Chartier World LAB — a leading authority on the science of molecular harmonies —that offers six olfactory creations inspired by the work.

Meanwhile, on the ground floor, the Art and Emotions special exhibition houses an interactive research project developed by the Université Laval -affiliated Co -DOT Lab that is studying the public’s emotional responses to Riopelle’s art. Finally, a new restoration laboratory and storage area give the public a look behind the scenes, providing insight into the little -known work of the Musée’s restoration teams.