The portrait
and watermark on the $20 note are of Her Majesty
Queen
Elizabeth II. Canada is a
constitutional monarchy and a member of the Commonwealth, with Queen
Elizabeth II as its reigning monarch and head of state. Born in London,
England, on 21 April 1926, she acceded to the throne on 6 February 1952,
following the death of her father
King George VI.
She was separately proclaimed Queen of Canada during a coronation that
took place at Westminster Abbey on 2 June 1953.
The artwork of Bill Reid
(1920-1998), inspired by the Haida culture of Canada's northwest coast,
was chosen to represent this theme. Internationally recognized as one of
Canada's most accomplished artists, Bill Reid embraced many art forms
during his career. His magnificent works range from the intricate to the
monumental—woodcarvings, exquisite jewellery, beautiful prints, and
massive sculptures. Depicted on the new $20 note are The Spirit of
Haida Gwaii, The Raven and the First Men, The Grizzly Bear, and Mythic
Messengers. Bill Reid was a mentor, and his work continues to
inspire Canadian artists in all fields.
Poem:
The accompanying quote is an excerpt from
Gabrielle Roy's novel, The Hidden Mountain* and reminds us that arts and
culture define who we are, as well as the system of beliefs, values, and
customs that we share.
* This quote was used by permission,
McClelland & Stewart Ltd. The Canadian Publishers.
Copyright 1998 - 2007 The entire contents of this
website are copyright, including all images. Permission is granted to
non-profit organizations on the condition that such copies are not sold or
otherwise used for profit. Unless specifically stated otherwise, images of
banknotes are copyright by the Bank of Canada and are used here with
permission.
