Quebec City pavilion to house major Riopelle collection opens in October

Quebec City is preparing to open a new $84 million pavilion at the Musée national des beauxarts du Québec devoted to the work of Jean Paul Riopelle. The space, called Espace Riopelle – Pavillon Michael Audain, is set to open in October and will display about 130 works by the Montrealborn artist. Museum director JeanLuc Murray said the project began as an idea in 2020 and was shaped around the art it would hold, including the large 40metrelong work L'Hommage à Rosa Luxemburg. He said the goal was to create a setting that could present the collection in a way that matches the scale and importance of the pieces. The pavilion is supported by contributions from the Quebec government, Quebec City, the museum and the Jean Paul Riopelle Foundation. The foundation donated 68 major works in 2021, while the museum and its partners say the project reflects a longstanding effort to preserve and present Riopelle’s legacy in Quebec.