The impact of German refugees in art historical circles in the United States before and after World War II is well documented, but their effect on Canada is comparatively unexplored. This thesis investigates the influence of German emigre Julius Samuel Held (1905-2002) through his interactions with the National Gallery of Canada (NGC). Held emigrated in 1934 from Germany to the United States due to his Jewish faith, and became acquainted with the NGC in 1935. Between 1935-1960, the NGC consulted Held on acquisitions and policy, as well as organized lectures for him in various Canadian cities. I examine why a national institution went to such lengths to accommodate Held, and the impact of this collaboration on Canadian art historical pedagogy. This case study provides insight on the influence of German intellectual refugees and the contributions that Held made to the developing field of Canadian art history in the mid-twentieth century.