M11588 | The Burning of the Parliament Building in Montreal
The Burning of the Parliament Building in Montreal
Joseph Légaré (attribué à / attributed to)
About 1849, 19th century
Oil on wood
38.2 x 50.3 cm
Gift of Dr. W. D. Lighthall and Mr. Hugh Mackay
M11588
© McCord Museum
Description
Keywords: disaster (71) , History (944) , Painting (2229) , painting (2226)
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Keys to History
The burning of the Parliament Building in Montreal in 1849 can be seen as a turning point in the history of Canada, one that led to Confederation. Violence, the annexation movement, the hostility between French and English over the Rebellion Losses Bill, and the lingering bitterness over Durham's Report would challenge Canada's political leaders to find new solutions that might allow for regional, ethnic and religious differences while facilitating the development of an industrial and transcontinental nation.
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What
Another example of the burning of the Parliament Building in 1849 is included in the Web tour on the rebellions. The fact that several artists painted the fire shows its visual and political importance.
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Where
This painting, which Légaré made of the Montreal fire, was an exception. Légaré lived in Quebec City and most of his paintings, such as that of the cholera epidemic of 1832, depict Quebec scenes.
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When
Légaré was particularly concerned by the destruction caused by fires in Lower Canada. He had seen the workshops of several of his friends burned, as well as the great fire in Saint Roch, a suburb of Quebec, in 1845.
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Who
Joseph Légaré was known for his strong nationalist feeling and his sense of history. In painting the violence resulting from the Reformers' passage of the Rebellion Losses Bill, he may have wanted to draw attention to the cause of reform in Lower Canada.
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