Quebec Master's Paintings Out, Queen In At Foreign Affairs HQ

Well known monarchist John Baird decides two Canadian masterpieces weren't fit for the royals.

Full kudos to Canadian Press' Jen Ditchburn for this one: Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird ordered two paintings by renowned Quebec artist Alfred Pellan to be taken down from the foyer of the foreign affairs headquarters in Ottawa and replaced them with a giant photo of Queen Elizabeth II. Baird's staff says the paintings, which had been there since the building opened in 1973 , were replaced to honour the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge when they visited earlier this month and in preparation for the Queen's diamond jubilee next year. Pellan, truly one of Quebec and Canada's greatest modern masters, had been commissioned in 1944 to paint the works, titled “Canada East Canada West” for the Canadian consulate in Brazil. They depict portrayals of life on both coasts of the country and had long brought a bit of colour, panache, and style to the otherwise staid Lester B. Pearson building.