Farida - Ottawa (1000 pcs)

This jigsaw puzzle Farida - Ottawa (1000 pcs) draws the eye, long before the hands, along the banks of the Ottawa River. Rendered in watercolour and gouache, the illustrated map brings the Canadian capital to life: the pink towers of Parliament stand at the centre, ringed by a bed of tulips, while the Chateau Laurier watches over the bridge spanning the river. Further along, the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica and the Canadian Museum of History frame the scene, while a totem pole and the ByWard Market, with its colourful stalls, add a lively touch to the downtown core. A couple skates across an icy stretch, a cyclist rolls along the path, a canoe cuts through the water, and small sailboats glide in the wind, all dotted with red maple leaves and a Canadian flag flying proudly at the heart of the image, beneath the hand-lettered word Ottawa.

This puzzle belongs to a series devoted to Canadian cities and provinces signed by Farida Zaman, which also includes an edition dedicated to Alberta. The scene features the ByWard Market, one of the oldest public markets still active in the country, and its skaters echo the famous Rideau Canal Skateway, a UNESCO World Heritage site that turns into the world's longest naturally frozen skating rink every winter. Putting together a 1000-piece puzzle is also known to encourage focus and ease the mind, a lovely way to tour Ottawa without leaving the kitchen table.

This map is signed by Farida Zaman, a Toronto-based multidisciplinary artist known for her charming travel illustrations, which appear in magazines, posters and several Canadian city puzzles.

Dimensions: 68.3 x 48 cm