Québec City stands on the distant horizon in this watercolour made from the bridge over the Chaudière River, near Lévis. In 1775, General Benedict Arnold crossed this river in an attempt to invade Québec City. The area flourished in the 19th century, when the timber industry used the river to transport logs to the mills. This piece was produced around 1838.

1840 - 1857

Around Québec City

Charlesbourg, Beauport, Sillery and Cap-Rouge are all names that, today, conjure up images of Québec City’s suburbs, but they were still distinct communities in the 19th century. Though they continue to follow their own course through history and have their own distinct identities, their history is nonetheless intimately linked and parallel to that of Québec City. As the city grew and industrialized in the 19th century, these communities remained largely agricultural and French-speaking. Some English-speaking aristocrats did, however, develop estates there. This album takes you on a tour around Québec City at the time!

Québec City from the bridge over the Chaudière River

Robert Brandard, after William Henry Bartlett Québec City stands on the distant horizon in this watercolour made from the bridge over the Chaudière River, near Lévis. In 1775, General Benedict Arnold crossed this river in an attempt to invade Québec City. The area flourished in the 19th century, when the timber industry used the river to transport logs to the mills. This piece was produced around 1838.

Chronoscope What do you notice in this piece? (unilingual French for a limited time)

Depicted period: 1840

Source: Library and Archives Canada Document in the public domain (free of copyright) - Acc. No. 1983-47-120 - Date: 1840

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