Remnants of an ancient military era, Québec City’s fortifications were extensively illustrated by the watercolourist Cockburn. This painting gives us a view of the Hope (1786) and Prescott (1797) defensive works, which controlled access to the Upper Town before being demolished to facilitate automobile traffic in the city. Interestingly, Hope Gate had a redoubt and a surrounding staircase.

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!

Hope Gate Redoubt

James Pattison Cockburn Remnants of an ancient military era, Québec City’s fortifications were extensively illustrated by the watercolourist Cockburn. This painting gives us a view of the Hope (1786) and Prescott (1797) defensive works, which controlled access to the Upper Town before being demolished to facilitate automobile traffic in the city. Interestingly, Hope Gate had a redoubt and a surrounding staircase.

Chronoscope Can you locate it 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. 1989-262-19 - Date: 1830

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