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The talented hand of artist James Pattison Cockburn brings early 19th-century Québec City to life on paper.  As a religious procession leaves Notre-Dame Basilica, citizens shop at the market while burghers meet and discuss nearby. The scene unfolds under the gaze of an Indigenous man passing by.
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.

A busy day downtown

James Pattison Cockburn The talented hand of artist James Pattison Cockburn brings early 19th-century Québec City to life on paper. As a religious procession leaves Notre-Dame Basilica, citizens shop at the market while burghers meet and discuss nearby. The scene unfolds under the gaze of an Indigenous man passing by.
Chronoscope What other details do you see in this piece? (unilingual French for a limited time) Source: Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec Document in the public domain (free of copyright) - Date: 1830