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By the middle of the 17th century, the colony of New France had many more men than women. To alleviate the problem, the King of France ordered female orphans be sent to Canada. Between 1663 and 1673, nearly 800 Filles du Roy (“king’s daughters”) landed in Québec City to find husbands and start families.
1617 - 1690

Artists paint New France

New France has long inspired artists to put down on canvas or paper the period’s historic events. Through their work, they bring to life a daily existence now bygone. As the French colony’s capital, Québec City has been an important part of these artistic legacies. This album invites you to discover many such works, created by artists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The Filles du Roy arrive in Québec City

Charles William Jefferys By the middle of the 17th century, the colony of New France had many more men than women. To alleviate the problem, the King of France ordered female orphans be sent to Canada. Between 1663 and 1673, nearly 800 Filles du Roy (“king’s daughters”) landed in Québec City to find husbands and start families.
Chronoscope Can you identify the artist who made this painting? (unilingual French for a limited time) Source: Library and Archives Canada Document in the public domain (free of copyright) - Acquisition No. 1990-568-1 - Date: 1942