By Dutch artist Cornelius Krieghoff, this watercolour depicts an impressive scene: people ice canoeing on the frozen St. Lawrence. This method did not come from European settlers. As early as the 17th century, Indigenous people navigated around the ice floes in bark canoes, and Europeans adopted their technique over the years. Today, racers cross the river at Québec City in ice-canoeing competitions.

1840 - 1865

When the waters freeze over

Before icebreakers arrived in the 20th century, the immense expanse of the St. Lawrence River in front of Québec City would freeze over every winter. The city would then be cut off from international shipping for many months. In town, however, people carried on with their activities. They would cross the river, either by canoe over floating mounds of ice or on the ice bridge, depending on conditions. All around Québec City, rivers and frozen waterfalls offered an extraordinary spectacle. These magnificent winter landscapes are revealed through 19th-century artworks.

People pushing a boat across the ice of the St. Lawrence River

Henry Richard S. Bunnett By Dutch artist Cornelius Krieghoff, this watercolour depicts an impressive scene: people ice canoeing on the frozen St. Lawrence. This method did not come from European settlers. As early as the 17th century, Indigenous people navigated around the ice floes in bark canoes, and Europeans adopted their technique over the years. Today, racers cross the river at Québec City in ice-canoeing competitions.

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Depicted period: 1856

Source: Library and Archives Canada Document in the public domain (free of copyright) - Acc. No. 1989-479-30 - Date: 1856

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