Only two weeks remain to discover or rediscover Notman, A Visionary Photographer, a major exhibition on the life and work of a Montrealer who was a pioneer in Canadian photography and one of the country’s greatest photographers of the 19th century. The exhibition ends on March 26. Impressive portraits, vast landscapes and scenes of Montreal take visitors on a fascinating trip back in time in a contemporary scenography. The retrospective presents images of the city with its carriages, trams, bustling port and major works during a period when Montreal played a pivotal role in the development of the country.

The exhibition will be open until 9 p.m. on Thursday, March 23 and Friday, March 24. It will exceptionally close after 5 p.m. on March 15.

The exhibition features 285 photographs and objects drawn primarily from the McCord Museum collection. It offers a new perspective on the career of William Notman (1826-1891), a Scottish immigrant whose work helped build the Canadian identity. The exhibition examines how the artist’s character contributed to his tremendous success. It also focuses on his modern approach to photography, founded on principles of communication, management and innovation. Vintage prints are the heart of the exhibition, supplemented by multimedia installations and interactive devices that provide dynamic information and help clarify the 19th-century idea of modernity.

Notman, A Visionary Photographer is produced, planned and presented by the McCord Museum. Hélène Samson, Curator, Notman Photographic Archives at the McCord Museum, is the curator of the exhibition. Following its stay in Montreal, the exhibition will travel to the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau and the Glenbow Museum in Calgary. An important book about the artist and his work has been produced for the exhibition. Richly llustrated and accompanied by numerous essays, the book won a Grafika prize for its design by the Paprika agency.