Topographic artist George Heriot offers a panoramic view of Québec City as seen from Grant’s Wharf, which was built in 1763 by the merchant William Grant. This watercolour gives an overview of the city in 1775, as it was after the Battle of Québec. The city was under siege by the American revolutionaries, who quickly retreated.

1793 - 1840

Québec City en grand: A few panoramic works from the early 19th century

From the early 19th century onwards, there was a proliferation of realistic paintings showing Québec City silhouetted against vast panoramic landscapes. These pieces reveal the city’s picturesque nature. Behind its tranquil exterior, Québec City was already becoming one of the greatest gateways for British immigration to North America. This album presents panoramic works showing Québec City, surrounded by water, forests and mountains. For many immigrants to North America, such views were their first sight of a city on the continent. Come and see what they saw!

View of Québec City from Grant’s Wharf

George Heriot Topographic artist George Heriot offers a panoramic view of Québec City as seen from Grant’s Wharf, which was built in 1763 by the merchant William Grant. This watercolour gives an overview of the city in 1775, as it was after the Battle of Québec. The city was under siege by the American revolutionaries, who quickly retreated.

Chronoscope There’s an interesting detail in this painting. Can you spot it? (unilingual French for a limited time)

Depicted period: 1793

Source: Library and Archives Canada Document in the public domain (free of copyright) - Acc. No. 1989-470-1R - Date: 1793

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