Senate Foyer

Senate Foyer is an homage to Canada. The artist produced this painting — and Senate Chamber — as part of a project to mark Canada’s 150^th anniversary and pay tribute to the country that welcomed him and his family.

The project yielded paintings of different spaces inside Centre Block on Parliament Hill, the Senate’s permanent home. Senate Foyer captures people milling about the grand entrance hall that leads into the Red Chamber. The painting showcases the foyer’s impressive stone pillars, large royal portraits and delicate stained-glass ceiling.

Born in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, Anthony (Tony) Batten moved to Quebec with his parents in 1950. He attended several fine arts institutions and studied under Arthur Lismer, a member of the Group of Seven, which inspired him to teach art throughout his career. Mr. Batten is known for a sketch-like style of painting and dramatic use of light in his work.

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