Lot 45: WILLIAM RAPHAEL 1833 - 1914

WILLIAM RAPHAEL 1833 - 1914 THE MEETING OF THE PROVINCES signed and dated lower left W. Raphael 1873, titled on a plaque affixed to the front of the frame oil on canvas 46.4 by 76.8 cm. 18 ¼ by 30 ¼ in.

Private Collection, Montreal

William Raphael is best known for his exemplary portraits and Canadian genre scenes of both Habitants and First Nations people, and his work and ambitions are certainly comparable to those of Cornelius Krieghoff. The countryside with its vagaries of nature and harmonious quietude appealed to Raphael and he travelled widely in Quebec, the northern American states and Scotland.

The Meeting of the Provinces may depict the boundaries of Upper and Lower Canada. Raphael sought out a peaceful yet sublime environment where he was able to depict the mountains, lakes and rivers. This encampment employs birchbark to enclose their wigwams, a custom before the use of hides.