# National Gallery of Canada — Ottawa, Canada

> Canada's national art museum in a Moshe Safdie glass-and-granite building overlooking Parliament Hill — Canadian, Indigenous, European, and contemporary art including Maman by Louise Bourgeois.

## Visitor facts
- Opening hours: Thursday to Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Closed Tuesday and Wednesday
- Admission: From CA$22 standard admission
- Free entry: Free Thursday evenings 5–8 PM · Under 18 free · Indigenous peoples free
- Address: 380 Sussex Dr, Ottawa, ON K1N 9N4, Canada
- Time needed: 2 hours
- Official website: https://www.gallery.ca/
- Facts verified: 2026-06-30

## Highlights
- Maman — Louise Bourgeois · 1999
- The Death of General Wolfe — Benjamin West · 1770
- The Jack Pine — Tom Thomson · 1916–1917
- Voice of Fire — Barnett Newman · 1967

## FAQ
**What is the spider sculpture outside the National Gallery of Canada?**
Maman (1999) by Louise Bourgeois — a 9.25-metre bronze spider outside the main entrance. It has become one of Ottawa's most photographed landmarks.

**How long should I spend at National Gallery of Canada?**
Plan 2 hours for the highlights. Add time for temporary exhibitions, the museum shop, and café.

**What is National Gallery of Canada best known for?**
Canada's national art museum in a Moshe Safdie glass-and-granite building overlooking Parliament Hill — Canadian, Indigenous, European, and contemporary art including Maman by Louise Bourgeois. Key highlights include Group of Seven and Emily Carr — definitive collection, Indigenous art — Inuit sculpture, Northwest Coast poles, European painting — Rembrandt, Vermeer, Caravaggio followers.

**How do I get tickets for National Gallery of Canada?**
From CA$22 standard admission Free Thursday evenings 5–8 PM · Under 18 free · Indigenous peoples free. Tickets are usually available on the day, but booking online saves queue time in peak season. Official site: https://www.gallery.ca/

**Why is Voice of Fire controversial in Canada?**
When the National Gallery purchased Barnett Newman's Voice of Fire in 1990 for $1.76 million CAD, it triggered a national debate — many Canadians questioned paying that sum for three stripes of color on canvas. The controversy reignited in 2014 when the painting was valued at over $40 million. It is now widely recognized as a landmark of Minimalism and a shrewd acquisition.

**Can you walk from the National Gallery to the Canadian Museum of History?**
Yes — the Alexandra Bridge connects Ottawa to Gatineau in a 10-minute scenic walk with views of Parliament Hill and the Ottawa River. The Canadian Museum of History is directly at the bridge's Quebec end. Combined visits are common; allow 2 hours per museum minimum.

**What is the Rideau Chapel at the National Gallery?**
The Rideau Street Chapel is a reconstructed 1888 Gothic Revival chapel interior — the last surviving example of a 19th-century Canadian church interior. It was dismantled from its original Ottawa location and reinstalled inside the National Gallery as a permanent architectural installation, complete with original stained glass and woodwork.


Source: https://worldmuseumguide.org/museums/national-gallery-of-canada/ — World Museum Guide, independent and ad-free.