Our History

The Beaverbrook Art Gallery and a significant art collection were given to the people of New Brunswick by Lord Beaverbrook, Sir Max Aitken, at the opening on Sept. 16, 1959. Many consider our magnificent collection of masterworks and the purpose-built art gallery housing them as the greatest of many generous gifts to his home province. 

The son of a Presbyterian minister in Miramichi, New Brunswick, Max Aitken enjoyed early success in Canadian business. In 1910, he left Canada for England, where he was knighted and elected a Member of Parliament, eventually serving as Minister of Aircraft Production in Churchill’s wartime government. 

In 1916, Sir Max established the Canadian War Memorials Fund to commission official war artists to paint the Canadian war effort. These artists included three future members of the Group of Seven: A.Y. Jackson, Frederick Varley, and Arthur Lismer. 

In creating a world-class collection for the gallery, Sir Max consulted with international art experts to advise him on key acquisitions and encouraged colleagues and acquaintances to donate paintings. The original collection included works by J.M.W. Turner, John Constable, Thomas Gainsborough, Joshua Reynolds, Edwin Henry Landseer, and works by modern artists such as Augustus John, William Orpen, Graham Sutherland, and Lucian Freud. Famous Canadian artists such as Cornelius Krieghoff, Emily Carr, and members of the Group of Seven were among the collection, as were works by Salvador Dalí. 

In 1994, the Beaverbrook was officially designated the provincial art gallery of New Brunswick.

Our Staff