Named for the river it feeds, Lake Saint-Charles is located near Québec City. Many artists left their impressions of it, including George Heriot who painted this piece. The lake is depicted here in its abundant natural splendour, as it was in 1808. The place had been frequented by Indigenous people for millennia. In the 19th century, it was a popular spot with members of the Huron-Wendat Nation, whose village was nearby.

1799 - 1830

Québec City’s surroundings through artists’ eyes

This album takes you on a tour around Québec City, by way of works George Heriot and James Pattison Cockburn painted at the turn of the 19th century. Based in Québec City, Heriot was a British-born civil servant who worked to improve the postal service with Montréal. Cockburn was a British soldier deployed in Québec City. Both were passionate about art and painted many pieces of the landscapes they visited on their walks around Québec City. Discover some of the works of these artists who left their mark in the country’s art history!

Upper Lake Saint-Charles in winter 1812

George Heriot Named for the river it feeds, Lake Saint-Charles is located near Québec City. Many artists left their impressions of it, including George Heriot who painted this piece. The lake is depicted here in its abundant natural splendour, as it was in 1808. The place had been frequented by Indigenous people for millennia. In the 19th century, it was a popular spot with members of the Huron-Wendat Nation, whose village was nearby.

Chronoscope What do you see in this landscape? (unilingual French for a limited time)

Depicted period: 1812

Source: Library and Archives Canada Document in the public domain (free of copyright) - Acc. No. 1989-471-11 - Date: 1812

OPEN