Mr. Kenneth Thomson’s gift to the AGO of his art collection -- the most significant private art collection in Canada – will add 2,000 outstanding works to the Art Gallery of Ontario.

The collection features signature works by Canadian artists from the 19th to mid-20th century, with 300 works from the Group of Seven and Tom Thomson.  The collection also includes more than 200 paintings by the 19th century artist Cornelius Krieghoff and 182 works by the early 20th century luminary David Milne, as well as key paintings by Paul Kane, Paul-Emile Borduas and Jean-Paul Riopelle. 

Cornelius Krieghoff (Canadian, 1815-72) Breaking Up of a Country Ball in Canada, Early Morning, 1857 oil on canvas, 61.2 x 91.4 cm The Thomson Collection, Art Gallery of Ontario © 2004 Art Gallery of Ontario	Paul Kane (Canadian, 1810-1871) Scene in the Northwest, 1845-1846 oil on canvas 55.9 x 78.7 cm The Thomson Collection ©2004 Art Gallery of Ontario

The Thomson gift of European art includes a decorative arts collection of more than 500 objects, including the legendary 12th -century Malmesbury châsse, (image of chasse) an extraordinary selection of Baroque ivories (image of diptych) and a distinguished group of portrait miniatures dating from 1550 to 1850.  The gift also includes a compelling collection of French and British ship-models from the Napoleonic era to the 19th century. The highlight of the Thomson European collection is the 17th century masterpiece by Peter Paul Rubens, Massacre of the Innocents.

Diptych: The Passion of Christ French, c. 1300 ivory with gilding 18.8 x 19.4 cm The Thomson Collection © 2004 Art Gallery of Ontario	Peter Paul Rubens (Flemish, 1577-1640) The Massacre of the Innocents, c.1611-12 oil on wood panel 142.0 x 182.0 cm The Thomson Collection ©2004 Art Gallery of Ontario
The Malmesbury Châsse: The Crucifixion and Christ in Majesty French (Limoges), circa 1180-1190 gilded copper, champlevé enamel, rock crystal, wood, paint 26.0 x 32.0 x 10.5 cm The Thomson Collection ©2004 Art Gallery of Ontario	Death, circa 1600-1650 German, (Upper Rhine) fruitwood Height: 24 cm The Thomson Collection © 2004 Art Gallery of Ontario

This donation represents the largest gift ever made to a Canadian cultural institution and is a major addition to the depth and scope of the AGO’s permanent collection.