This watercolour by artist James Pattison Cockburn brilliantly captures how two eras—and two realities!— coexisted in Québec City. While the architecture and Saint-Louis Gate that are visible in the background recall the French Regime, the military men shown here represent the notable presence of the British garrison in the city until the troops were pulled out around 1871.

1830 - 1832

A stroll through the streets of Québec City in the early 19th century

Imagine walking through the streets of Québec City at the turn of the19th century... That is exactly the perspective you will have as you discover the artwork in this album of scenes of the era’s city life! Most of the pieces were created by British servicemen trained at the Royal Military Academy in Woolwich, England, where certain members of the British army learned advanced artistic techniques. Servicemen skilled in art could then put down on paper images of the places where the British army was operating. Rediscover Québec City through their eyes!

Saint-Louis Street, looking toward Saint-Louis Gate

James Pattison Cockburn This watercolour by artist James Pattison Cockburn brilliantly captures how two eras—and two realities!— coexisted in Québec City. While the architecture and Saint-Louis Gate that are visible in the background recall the French Regime, the military men shown here represent the notable presence of the British garrison in the city until the troops were pulled out around 1871.

Chronoscope Can you locate the exact placement of this piece on the map? (unilingual French for a limited time)

Depicted period: 1830

Source: Library and Archives Canada Document in the public domain (free of copyright) - Acc. No. 1938-1 - Date: 1830

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