Hudson Bay Canoes at Chats Falls.

Hudson Bay Canoes at Chats Falls.

Hudson Bay Canoes at Chats Falls.

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Introduction

This watercolor painting by Philip John Bainbrigge depicts two Hudson Bay canoes making the portage around Chats Falls, just outside Ottawa. The painting gives a close-up of motifs, possibly totems, painted on the canoes. The painting dates from 1838. The specific Great Lakes nation is not known.

Nation of Maker: American American
Nation of Origin

The location, Chats Falls, suggests that the nation of origin in Great Lakes.

Date Made or Date Range: 1838
Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

LAC record

Materials

Watercolor paints; black ink; pencil; wove paper.

Techniques or Format

Watercolour with scraping out and touches of black ink over pencil on wove paper.

Motifs and Patterns

Chats Falls is from the French name, Chute des Chats, Cats Falls. It was a waterfall with a 10.7 meter drop in the river. It is a well known fishing spot for catfish, hence its name.

Other Notes

Inscribed. Signed. Dated.

Inscription: in pencil, verso c.: Hudson Bay Canoes at Chats falls 1838 / Portage. Sault aux Chats.

Dimensions: 0 × 24.6 × 16.6 cm
Condition: Good
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

LAC record, inscription on painting.

Current Location: Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: Mikan no. 2833556
Link to Institution's Collections Database: collectionscanada.gc.ca
GKS Reference Number: 1334
How to Cite this Item

Credit: Library and Archives Canada, Acc. No. 1983-47-18

Record Creation Context

This record was created by Anne de Stecher during an RAship for Prof. Ruth Phillips.

Approximate Place of Origin

43.3, -78.1

Source of Information about Places

Chats Falls is 45 minutes north of Ottawa, in the Eastern Great Lakes region.

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