Description

The painting of the Fathers of Confederation by Robert Harris was one of the best-known in Canada. Despite the attractiveness of the idea of a federal union, the meetings of delegates from British North America in Charlottetown and Quebec City to discuss the federal union were affairs in which the conflicting interests of different parts of British North America were evident. Alongside the political and economic advantages of a union was the hostility of many groups. French Canada's culture, institutions and minority status made it vulnerable in a pan-Canadian Confederation. Many in the Maritimes preferred a simple legislative union in their region. The British North America Act, particularly in sections 91 and 92, outlined the responsibilities of the federal and provincial governments. Confederation came into effect on July 1, 1867, with four provinces: Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

• What

  This painting gives a fictionalized sense of the brotherhood that existed through much of the Quebec Conference. The original painting burned in the fire that destroyed the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa in 1916.

• Where

  The artist Robert Harris gave pride of place to John A. Macdonald, who stands in the centre with his French Canadian lieutenant, George-Étienne Cartier, beside him. As post-Confederation Canada descended into quarrels over Louis Riel, language and conscription, the harmony suggested by this painting of the "Fathers" of Confederation became part of Canadian mythology.

• When

  Harris drew a large preliminary sketch in 1883. A distinguished portrait artist who had drawn Sir John A. Macdonald and others, Harris drew many of the portraits from Notman photographs.

• Who

  Born in 1849, Robert Harris grew up in Wales and was not at the Quebec Conference.

Exhibition Label