N-1978.3.1 | St. Georges Snowshoe Club at McGill gates, Montreal, QC, 1880
St. Georges Snowshoe Club at McGill gates, Montreal, QC, 1880
Notman & Sandham
1880, 19th century
Silver salts on paper - Albumen process
17.78 x 33.02 cm
Gift of Mrs. Gertrude H. Bourne
N-1978.3.1
© McCord Museum
Description
Keywords: Occupation (1110) , Photograph (77678) , sport (475)
Description
Beginning in 1864, William Notman studio produced numerous composite photographs. This one shows the St. Georges' Snow Shoe Club. Formed around 1859, this was to become the largest club of its kind in Montreal. Club members are shown gathered in front of the McGill College gates before embarking on their tramp over Mount Royal.
The technical limitations of photography also made it impossible to photograph a group of three or four hundred people and expect to create a dynamic composition with everybody in sharp focus and looking their best. But in the controlled conditions of the studio, where each person was photographed individually with posing stand at the head to prevent movement, a clear portrait with a pleasing expression and a good pose was guaranteed.
Keys to History
This club, formed in about 1859, became the largest in Montreal. Club members are shown gathered in front of McGill College gates before beginning their tramp over Mount Royal.
Exhibition Label
References
- Triggs, Stanley G. The Composite Photographs of William Notman, Montreal: McCord Museum of Canadian History, 1994
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