Antique View of Quebec City from the Water – Canadian Harbour Scene, c.1850
€ 130
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Date
1850
Sheet size
12.5 × 20.5 cm (4.9 × 8.1 in)
Reference
BG-05150-15
Condition
Very good condition with light, even toning. Some minor foxing in the margins. Slight wear and creasing along the lower edge, likely from binding removal. No tears or repairs. Paper remains strong and image quality is sharp.
About this sheet
Antique View of Quebec City from the Water – Canadian Harbour Scene, c.1850
This finely detailed 19th-century engraving offers a panoramic view of Quebec City, as seen from across the waters of the St. Lawrence River. The scene shows a bustling harbour with tall-masted ships at anchor and smaller sailing vessels navigating the calm surface. In the foreground, a two-man skiff with a triangular sail moves toward the viewer, adding depth and life to the composition. On the opposite bank, the steep cliffs of Cap Diamant rise to meet the formidable structure of the Citadel, prominently placed at the top of the hill. Church spires and clustered rooftops crown the fortified cityscape, conveying both strategic importance and old-world charm.
The engraving is titled “Québec” and marked “Lemaitre, direxit,” identifying the French artist Lemaitre as the engraver. This print was likely published around 1850, during a period of heightened European interest in the cities and landscapes of North America. The work was part of a visual series documenting colonial territories and historic urban centers for educational and cultural dissemination in France.
Quebec City was a vital stronghold in colonial Canada, and this view captures it in its 19th-century grandeur—still heavily fortified, yet vibrant and maritime in character. The composition not only reflects architectural and topographical accuracy, but also evokes the daily life and trade of the period. It is an excellent example of the steel engraving technique, with finely executed linework capturing the textures of stone, water, sky, and ship rigging in minute detail.
Condition: Very good condition with light, even toning. Some minor foxing in the margins. Slight wear and creasing along the lower edge, likely from binding removal. No tears or repairs. Paper remains strong and image quality is sharp.
Framing tips: A print of this historical and architectural nature would look elegant in a dark wood or ebonized frame, paired with an off-white or pale ivory mat. A double mat with a thin blue-gray inner border could reflect the maritime subject and add depth to the presentation.
Technique: Steel engraving Maker: Lemaitre, France, c. 1850
