This engraving shows Québec City from a distance on the St. Lawrence River. It was inspired by sketches by Hervey Smyth, a British captain. The piece helps us understand the importance of Québec City’s strategic position. As a fortified town on a promontory, it was particularly difficult to conquer.

1760 - 1760

Québec City through the eyes of British captain Hervey Smyth

Hervey Smyth was a British army captain who fought in the Conquest of New France. In 1759, he was seriously wounded during the attack on the Plains of Abraham and so was immediately returned to Great Britain. He brought sketches with him that he had drawn in his spare time during the military offence. While in Great Britain, Smyth produced magnificent works, mainly between 1760 and 1780, from his sketches of Québec City. Can you locate the places he visited?

View of Québec City in North America

Unknown, after Hervey Smyth This engraving shows Québec City from a distance on the St. Lawrence River. It was inspired by sketches by Hervey Smyth, a British captain. The piece helps us understand the importance of Québec City’s strategic position. As a fortified town on a promontory, it was particularly difficult to conquer.

Chronoscope Can you locate on the map where the artist was when he drew the sketch? (unilingual French for a limited time)

Depicted period: 1760

Source: Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec Document in the public domain (free of copyright) - Date: 1760

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