This drawing by Huron artist Zacharie Vincent perfectly illustrates his love of self-portraiture. This form of artistic expression allowed him to forge a modern image of his Indigenous reality, overturning the hegemony of the colonial gaze. Vincent sold his work to private buyers as well as through specialized boutiques in Québec City.

1840 - 1878

Indigenous presence in the second half of the 19th century

In the late 19th century, Indigenous people continued to influence daily life in and around Québec City. The Huron-Wendats lived mainly just north of Québec City in Wendake, known at the time as the “Huron Village.” They fished and hunted in the surrounding lakes and rivers. Members of the Maliseet and Abenaki nations came seasonally to Lévy Point, south of Québec City. The Indigenous presence in the region is reflected in many paintings of this era, including some by the renowned Huron-Wendat artist Zacharie Vincent.

Zacharie Vincent Telariolin, Huron Chief, and his self-portrait

Zacharie Vincent This drawing by Huron artist Zacharie Vincent perfectly illustrates his love of self-portraiture. This form of artistic expression allowed him to forge a modern image of his Indigenous reality, overturning the hegemony of the colonial gaze. Vincent sold his work to private buyers as well as through specialized boutiques in Québec City.

Chronoscope Can you identify the aspects of traditional dress in this image? (unilingual French for a limited time)

Depicted period: 1875

Source: Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec Document in the public domain (free of copyright) - Date: 1875

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