Object Record
Images
Metadata
Accession # |
AC1997.5.3 |
Item Name |
Watercolour Painting Photograph |
Description |
Colour photographic reproduction, 1985, of a watercolour painting entitled "Woodlands" by Canadian artist, William Henry Edward Napier (1829-1894), unsigned, 1855; it is a landscape with a two-storey stone house with central portico, and a chimney at each side; signle-storey addition at right of house; picket fence in front of property; three women sit on a bench in front of house; horse-drawn carriage full of people is parked outside the front door, greeted by a woman in black; man with rifle, young girl, and dog approach the building from the right; folliage surrounds house. AC7 |
Date |
July 1855 |
Provenance |
This reproduction was originally framed under glass; the printed label under the glass and on the back of the reproduction reads: "Woodlands / Puslinch Township near Guelph, Ontario / This is the original home of the Saunders in Canada. The / Georgian house was built in 1846 and is at the present time / a fine residence. The property was sold in 1864. / This picture of Woodlands was painted in July 1855 by William / Henry Edward Napier (1830-1894), a family friend who is / now recognized for his many watercolours of the early / Canadian period". A handwritten note on the label, signed G.L.S. [Guy L. Saunders] 1985, reads: "Original watercolour given by Dyce C. Saunders to the R.O.M. [Royal Ontario Museum] Canadiana Gallery in Toronto". The Canadian Archival Information Network provides the following information about the artist [Oct. 2015], "William Henry Edward Napier (1829-1894) was born in Canada, the son of Duncan Campbell Napier, personal secretary to Lord Elgin. He became well-known as a civil engineer during the construction of the Grand Trunk Railway. He was also an accomplished painter in watercolour. In 1857 and 1858, he served as chief engineer on the Canadian Government Exploring Expedition where he produced many of his best-known works including watercolour scenes from Lake Superior to the Red River settlement. Napier moved to Scotland in 1870 where he died in 1894." |
Person \ Organization |
Elgin, (Lord) Government of Canada Grand Trunk Railway Napier, Duncan Napier, William Henry Edward Royal Ontario Museum Saunders Saunders, Dyce Chalmers Saunders, Guy LeFanu |
Place |
Canada Guelph Ontario Puslinch Twp. Scotland Toronto Woodlands |
Year Range from |
1855 |
Year Range to |
1855 |
Art number |
Art 703 |
Creator \ Maker |
Napier, William Henry Edward |
Subjects |
Animals Architecture Landscape Transportation |
Title (art only) |
Woodlands |
Art Image size |
21.7 (h) x 27.6 (w) cm |