Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
Classic Quartz Resin Casual Watch Buy Now
5pc Turtleneck Long Sleeve Tees Buy Now
T-Shirt Beefy-T Heavyweight Buy Now
J.VER Men's Dress Shirts Buy Now
Genuine Leather Dress Designer Belts for men Buy Now
VIZIO 40 inch Smart TV (VFD40M-08) Buy Now
4-Compartment Bento-Style Lunch Box Buy Now
Straight Leg Jeans for Women Buy Now
Casio MDV106: Unisex Analog Diver's Watch Buy Now
Men's Slim Fit One Button Blazer Buy Now
Calvin Klein Bella Crossbody Buy Now
Hanes Pocket Undershirt 6-Pack Buy Now
Womens Flower Wedge Sandals Buy Now
VIZIO 40-inch D-Series Full HD 1080p Smart TV Buy Now
Essentials Men's Regular-Fit Shirt Buy Now
Timex Women's Crisscross Watch Buy Now
Long Sleeve Sweater for Men Buy Now
Wildpier Dermaplaning Tool Buy Now
Anne Klein Watch Buy Now
Men's Knit Blazer Buy Now
MoreBack to News Headlines
Painting gifted to France in Tory ‘act of cultural vandalism’ heralds Liberal cabinet swearing-in

Painting gifted to France in Tory ‘act of cultural vandalism’ heralds Liberal cabinet swearing-in

Global News
Wednesday, October 27, 2021 1:19 PM GMT

If the new Liberal government wanted an art piece to send a message to the recently vanquished Conservatives, Riopelle's Point de rencontre would be the one, says Randy Boswell.

Because it’s an abstract work of art, the top portion of the Jean-Paul Riopelle masterpiece that formed the backdrop of Tuesday’s swearing-in of the new federal Liberal cabinet can be interpreted as a balled fist with just the middle finger thrust upward.

See it? Is it just me?

It’s unlikely that’s what Riopelle — one of Canada’s most renowned artists on the world stage — had in mind when he created the five-metre-wide Point de rencontre (Meeting Place) in 1963.

But it would explain why the painting, the largest ever executed by the late Montreal-born artist, was rushed into place on the front wall of the Rideau Hall Ballroom just a few days before Tuesday’s ceremony.

If the new Liberal government could have picked one oil-on-canvas on Earth to send a subtle, snarky message to the recently vanquished Conservatives — to add an artistic insult to the injury of the Liberal election victory that led to Tuesday’s unveiling of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s new cabinet — it would have been Point de rencontre.

Commissioned by the Liberal government of Lester B. Pearson in 1963 to celebrate Riopelle’s rising reputation in the art world, the painting was unveiled the following year at the Toronto International Airport, which was posthumously named for Pearson in 1984.

Before Tuesday’s ceremony, it had been 32 years since the artwork was last in the national spotlight. In 1989 it was at the centre of a transatlantic political controversy after then-Tory prime minister Brian Mulroney had it plucked from a wall at the Toronto airport and gifted to the people of France.

The grand gesture, meant to mark the 200th anniversary of the French Revolution and symbolize the close relationship between France and Canada, was instantly assailed by opposition critics and editorialists as a crime against Canadian heritage that typified what they considered the Progressive Conservative government’s dismissive attitude towards arts and culture.

Read full story on Global News
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
Carney government faces 1st confidence vote with throne speech

The vote on the throne speech itself is a confidence vote, which means that if the government loses it, it could be forced into a general election.

An emergency alert intended for just one area went across Ontario. Nobody will say how

"Emergency alert," the message appearing on phones read, warning people to shelter in place as police investigated a homicide. The suspect: "Unknown male."

More Telus service outages in Alberta cause outrage amongst customers 

Some residents say they're frustrated over inconsistent communication from Telus, as the company handles several outages in the region due to copper wire thieves.

West Kelowna food bank expands to meet growing needs

Located at 3710 Hoskins Rd,, the new, 3,700-square-foot food bank was celebrated at a grand opening on Tuesday.

2 drownings in 3 days prompts warning from Okanagan officials

The most recent incident happened Monday near Kelowna’s City Park. RCMP confirmed the body of an adult was pulled from the water.

Portage and Main to reopen to Winnipeg pedestrians in just a few weeks

After months of construction, Winnipeg's most iconic intersection is expected to re-open to pedestrians for the first time in decades.

Veteran receiver Eugene Lewis opens CFL season chasing touchdown receptions record

The six-foot, 200-pound Lewis finished 2024 on quite a roll.

Majority of CFL teams have veteran experience at QB position this season

Nick Arbuckle is expected to be the starter Friday night when the Grey Cup-champion Toronto Argonauts visit the Montreal Alouettes.

As Canada’s wildfires rage, where is the smoke drifting?

Air quality alerts stretch from Alberta to parts of northern Ontario, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada, with some U.S. states also seeing advisories.

Eglinton Crosstown LRT on track to open by September, Ford says

Doug Ford made the comments at an unrelated event on Tuesday, where he said the Eglinton LRT was on track to open by September, with final testing planned soon.

Amid the trade war, OECD has lowered its global economic growth projections

A newly revised report on the global economic outlook by the 38-nation OECD shows that expectations for global growth have been lowered in the face of the trade war.

Alberta man wins 3 lottery prizes worth $2.5M total in under 9 months

The man said that he's been playing since Lotto 6/49 launched in 1982.

‘I’m overjoyed’: 20 unchecked Lotto Max tickets leads to $5M win for Ontario man

An Ontario lottery winner says he worked hard to keep his $5-million win under wraps while planning a make a big reveal at a recent family gathering.

Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
Separatist Alberta Republican Party cries foul after byelection debate is cancelled

'When you have nothing to offer Albertans at the ballot box, maybe that's their idea - avoid accountability and dodge democracy,' said party leader Cameron Davies.

30-year-old worker drowns in industrial accident at B.C. mill

Numerous first responders from police, fire and ambulance initially attended with the support of the Canadian Coast Guard divers to attempt a rescue.

Marc Garneau, former astronaut and federal cabinet minister, dead at 76

Marc Garneau, who served as a federal cabinet minister after becoming the first Canadian to go to space, has died at the age of 76.

Ministers say new border bill upholds rights while limiting asylum claims

Critics and advocacy groups are calling the wide-ranging border security legislation a threat to civil liberties in the immigration and asylum system.

Proposed lawsuit alleges Toronto violated refugees’ rights by denying shelter beds

A proposed class-action lawsuit alleges Toronto violated refugee claimants’ Charter rights by denying them access to shelter beds for nearly a year.

U.S. ‘can’t fight a war’ without American steel, Trump tariff chief says

Howard Lutnick defended the doubling of steel and aluminum tariffs while denying the immediate real-world implications that will have on U.S. defence manufacturing.

Opening-week CFL game between Elks and Lions to feature 2 Canadian quarterbacks

The B.C. Lions will host the Edmonton Elks at B.C. Place in the season opener for both teams.

Minister says his comments on Indigenous consultation ‘eroded’ trust

raser said Tuesday that the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples requires consultation but does not amount to "a blanket veto power" over projects.

Minister wants Canada Post, union back at table to talk arbitration

Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu is urging Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers to return to the negotiating table with federal mediators.

‘Another universe of pain’: Patients allege neglectful care by Ontario doctor

It was Oct. 25, 2018, the morning of giving birth to her second child, and Marie-Louise Fitrion says it triggered the memory of being sexually assaulted as a child. 

Trump’s 50% tariff on steel, aluminum now in effect

Canada's steel industry warned the doubling of tariffs could create 'mass disruption' for the sector, while aluminum producers call the situation 'unprecedented.'

Edmonton Oilers look to return Stanley Cup to Canada as final kicks off

The last time a Canadian team won the Stanley Cup was in 1993, despite a team from Canada being in the finals multiple times since.

© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us