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In the early 19th century, Saint-Louis Street was one of the main thoroughfares taken by Québec City’s elite, mainly citizens of British origin. Wealthy businessmen and colonial administrators rubbed shoulders there every day. This piece by British military man James Pattison Cockburn shows this street circa 1830.
1829 - 1831

Touring Québec City with Major-General Cockburn

Like many army personnel, Major-General James Pattison Cockburn trained at the Royal Military Academy in Woolwich, England. This institution trained military personnel in advanced artistic techniques so they could depict the places the were deployed to. When he was stationed in Québec City, from 1822 to 1823 and again from 1826 to 1832, Cockburn produced dozens of magnificent works he sketched on the spot. This album invites you to take a tour of Québec City and surrounding areas through a few of the major-general’s works.

Saint-Louis Street, reserved for the colony’s elite

James Pattison Cockburn In the early 19th century, Saint-Louis Street was one of the main thoroughfares taken by Québec City’s elite, mainly citizens of British origin. Wealthy businessmen and colonial administrators rubbed shoulders there every day. This piece by British military man James Pattison Cockburn shows this street circa 1830.
Chronoscope Can you locate the artist’s position on the map? (unilingual French for a limited time) Source: Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec Document in the public domain (free of copyright) - Date: 1830