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Like today’s scrapbooks, early nineteenth-century sentiment albums expressed the life and interests of their creators. Unlike the artist who controls her image in a traditional self-portrait, assemblers of such albums invited friends, family members, and acquaintances to contribute verses, sketches, or autographs. The rise of photography in nineteenth-century Europe and North America hastened the demise of sentiment albums, as women turned to producing photographic collections.
An upper-class woman who lived in Quebec City, Lady Marie-Reine-Josephte Belleau (1812–1884) was married to Sir Narcisse-Fortunat Belleau, a prominent lawyer, politician, and businessman. Knighted in 1860, he later became Lieutenant-Governor of the province of Quebec. Her album, which she assembled throughout her life, offers a window into her milieu by means of her collection of drawings, watercolours, collages, photographs, and texts. Works by such significant Canadian artists as Cornelius Krieghoff and Théophile Hamel appear in these pages. Her sentiment album is a repository of memory, acknowledged relationships, and social identity.
Flower & Scroll – Title Page
By an unknown artist, 1843
Lithograph in black, hand coloured with watercolour, heightened with gum arabic
Wreath of Roses
By Sr. St. Philippe, 1835
Watercolour
Lilies with Scroll
By an unknown artist
Lithograph in black, hand coloured with watercolour, heightened with gum arabic
Habitant Sled in Snow Storm
By an unknown artist
Watercolour over pencil, with extensive scraping out
Vers infames contre la tempérance!
Autograph copy by François-Xavier Garneau, 1854
Handwritten poem
Le Canada
Autograph copy by Octave Crémazie, 1857
Handwritten poem
Si j'étais peintre ou poète
Autograph copy by Adolphe Marsais, 1859
Handwritten poem
Zity, a Huron
By Cornelius Krieghoff
Watercolour and gouache over pencil
Bunch of Mauve Flowers
By an unknown artist
Oil on sheer fabric, signature in gold metallic paint, mounted diagonally
Deux putti
By Théophile Hamel
Charcoal or black chalk, stumped, touched with white chalk on wove paper
Pink Roses with Scroll
By an unknown artist
Lithograph in black, hand coloured with watercolour, heightened with gum arabic
The Bridge at “Montmorenci” above the Falls
Work signed C. W.
Pencil, with single ruled framing line made by joining pin holes in each corner
Landscape with Bridge
Work signed V.F., J
Pencil, with single ruled framing line
Portrait of a Woman with a Large Hat and Ermine Cape
By an unknown artist
Pencil, touched with pen and black ink
Portrait of a Young Girl with Bare Shoulders
By Antoine-Sébastien Plamondon, 1834
Pencil
An Altar to Friendship
By an unknown artist
Watercolour over traces of pencil
Water Lilies with Scroll
By an unknown artist
Lithograph in black, hand coloured with watercolour, heightened with gum arabic
Celestial Vision Surrounded by Wreath of Flowers
By St. François de Borgia, 1834
Watercolour with metallic gold
Silhouettes of Duc de Bordeaux and Mlle d’Artois
Work signed E. M. D. – Ursulines de Québec, 1843
Stumped pencil with stencils
Tomb and Weeping Willow in a Moonlit Landscape
By an unknown artist from the Ursulines de Québec
Gouache, heightened with gum arabic and glitter
Woman with Walking Stick and Dog in a Landscape with Cottage
By an unknown artist
Watercolour over traces of pencil, heightened with gum arabic
Blue Hyacinth with Scroll. “Ven. Mère M. de l’Incarnation”
By an unknown artist
Lithograph in black, hand coloured with watercolour, heightened with gum arabic, small sepia photograph of nun pasted to scroll above inscription
A Young French Dauphin or King with a Sceptre of the Order of the Holy Spirit
By an unknown artist
Watercolour with touches of opaque white on velvet
A Black and Orange Butterfly
By an unknown artist
Watercolour, gouache, black ink and gold metallic paint
“Accrostiche”
Autograph copy by Joseph-Guillaume Barthe, 1858
Handwritten poem
Reclining Boy
Work signed SR. Rejan
Pencil, with opaque white and glitter
Moonlight Landscape with Erupting Volcano
Work signed E. D.–Ursulines de Québec, 1845
Gouache
Spotted Dog
By an unknown artist
Pencil, with glitter, in oval embossed border
Passion Flower and Rose
By an unknown artist
Watercolour over traces of pencil, heightened with gum arabic
The Chase
By E.H. Blair, 1842
Pencil
Fuchsias with Scroll
By an unknown artist
Lithograph in black, hand coloured with watercolour
Night View of an Erupting Volcano
By H. Swords
Gouache
Five Gentlemen Drinking around a Table
By an unknown artist
Watercolour over pencil
Portrait of an Unknown Older Woman
By an unknown artist
Pencil on white wove paper
Lake Beauport
By Samuel C. Hawksett, 1858
Watercolour and gouache
Parmi les biens que le ciel nous prodigue
Autograph copy by A.N. Morin, 1861
Handwritten poem
Souvenir de 1882
Autograph copy by Charles A. Gauvreau, 1883
Handwritten poem
Honeysuckle and Scroll: Mad. de la Peltrie
By an unknown artist
Lithograph in black, hand coloured with watercolour, heightened with gum arabic
Cat Concert
By an unknown artist
Lithograph in black, hand coloured with watercolour and gouache, heightened with gum arabic
A Dish of Fruit
By A. Olscamps, 1862
Watercolour, heightened with gum arabic
A Bunch of Grapes
Work signed Ste. Adélaïde
Chromolithograph decalbum page, transferred to card edged with gold foil border, within embossed album page
N.D. de Sion à Jérusalem – Fleurs de la Voie Douloureuse
By an unknown artist
Dried flowers mounted on card imprinted with image of cross, ladder, and spear
Jean Baptiste
Autograph copy by Adolphe Marsais, 1858
Handwritten poem
Pink Hyacinth with Two Scrolls
By an unknown artist
Lithograph in black, hand coloured with watercolour, heightened with gum
Harbour View with Tower and Church
By an unknown artist, 1834
Pencil and grey wash, pen and black ink
A Nosegay of Roses, Passion Flower and Forget-Me-Nots
Work signed J. P., 1844
Watercolour over traces of pencil, heightened with gum arabic
A Nosegay of Roses, Passion Flower and Forget-Me-Nots
Work signed J. P., 1844
Watercolour over traces of pencil, heightened with gum arabic
Man Fishing from Bridge
By an unknown artist
Black chalk and scraping out on fine sandpaper
River View with High Cliffs and Tree
By an unknown artist
Black chalk and scraping out on fine sandpaper
Lac d'Italie
By G. Woolsey
Gouache and watercolour, heightened with gum arabic
Juif d'Amsterdam
By Eugène Joseph Arthur Hamel
Pen and grey ink over pencil
Pink Roses with Scroll
By an unknown artist
Lithograph in black, hand coloured with watercolour, heightened with gum arabic
St. Laurent Parish Church
By an unknown photographer, 1856
Sepia photograph
Paysans espagnols
Work signed G. V. F.
Watercolour and gouache, heightened with gum arabic
Portrait du docteur Blanchet
Autograph copy by Adolphe Marsais, 1859
Handwritten poem
Portrait of Dr. Jean Blanchet
By Samuel C. Hawksett, 1858
Pencil
Pansies with Scroll
By Denyse Talbot, 1843
Lithograph in black, hand coloured with watercolour, heightened with gum arabic
Landscape with Tower and Bridge
By an unknown artist
Oil on paper
Sunset over a River with a Castle in the Distance
By an unknown artist
Oil on paper
Landscape with Small Footbridge and Chalet
By an unknown artist
Watercolour and gouache
La Supérieure de l’Hôpital Général de Québec
By an unknown artist
Watercolour over pencil, heightened with gum arabic with metallic gold
Buttercups with Scroll
Work signed E. de F.
Lithograph in black, hand coloured with watercolour, heightened with gum arabic
Le Grimpereau Rouge / (Red Bird)
Work signed J. G. B.
Gouache and watercolour over traces of pencil
Basket of Flowers and Fruit
Work signed C. D. N., 1862
Grey wash on embossed border paper
Moth and Butterfly on Flowering Branch
Work signed J. G. B., 1845
Watercolour and gouache, heightened with gum arabic
Deux dates, 1760/1867
Autograph copy by Adolphe Basile Routhier
Handwritten poem
Deux dates, 1760/1867
Autograph copy by Adolphe Basile Routhier
Handwritten poem
Deux dates, 1760/1867
Autograph copy by Adolphe Basile Routhier
Handwritten poem
Sweet Peas with Scroll
By an unknown artist
Lithograph in black, hand coloured with watercolour, heightened with gum arabic
Small Cottage in Landscape
By an unknown artist, 1836
Pencil on buff card
Monique Gros Louis, Lorette
By an unknown artist
Watercolour and gouache with gold, heightened with gum arabic
An Oriental Landscape
By A. Weil
Brown wash over traces of pencil
Ville portuaire
By an unknown artist
Pencil, watercolour and gouache on tinted commercial paper
Autograph inscription in Arabic with English translation
Autograph copy by Nasif Shedoody, 1850
Inscription
Upper Town Market
By William Ogle Carlisle
Watercolour, pen and black ink over pencil, heightened with opaque white within ruled pencil borders on laid paper
Two Dead Game Birds
By William Lockwood, 1863
Sepia photograph, hand coloured with watercolour
Rose Buds and Scroll
By an unknown artist
Lithograph in black, hand coloured with watercolour, heightened with gum arabic
An Artist Caught by the Rising Tide
By John Strang
Grey wash over pencil
Snow Drops and Scroll: "Sainte Thérèse"
By an unknown artist
Lithograph in black, hand coloured with watercolour, heightened with gum arabic
Portrait of Pope Gregory XVI
By an unknown artist
Pencil
Le Grimpereau vert
Work signed J. G. B.
Watercolour and gouache, heightened with gum arabic
Still Life with Fruits
By an unknown artist
Watercolour over traces of pencil
A Rustic Cottage in a Landscape
By A. Himsworth
Pen and brown ink, brown wash, over traces of pencil, touched with opaque
A Picturesque Village
By A. Himsworth
Pen and brown ink, brown wash, over traces of pencil, touched with opaque
Les Fleurs
Autograph copy by B.P., 1878
Handwritten poem
Les Fleurs
Autograph copy by B.P., 1878
Handwritten poem
Blue Morning Glories with Scroll: "Evêque de Tloa"
By an unknown artist
Lithograph in black, hand coloured with watercolour, heightened with gum arabic
Le Médecin de village
By an unknown artist, 1859
Watercolour, gouache, pen and brown ink, brown wash, over pencil, heightened with gum arabic on paper with simulated birchbark border
L’Orage
Autograph copy by B.P., ca. 1878
Handwritten poem
L’Orage
Autograph copy by B.P., ca. 1878
Handwritten poem
Market Maid from the Canton of Uri, Switzerland
By an unknown artist
Watercolour and gouache, pen and black ink
Indian Woman with Basket
By an unknown artist
Watercolour and gouache over faint indications in pencil, depiction of snow covered with glitter
Chutes du Niagara
By Giuseppe Fascio, 1848
Watercolour and gouache, heightened with gum arabic
Chalet à la Handech, Canton de Berne
By an unknown artist from the Ursulines de Québec
Gouache, heightened with gum arabic
Forget-Me-Nots with Scroll
By an unknown artist
Lithograph in black, hand coloured with watercolour, heightened with gum arabic
Night View of a Burning Ship
By Georgina L'Aubiniere
Gouache, heightened with gum arabic
A Brush and Palette
By Georgina L'Aubiniere
Watercolour and gouache, heightened with gum arabic
River Landscape with Castle on Cliff
By an unknown artist
Watercolour, heightened with gum arabic
Tulip with Scroll
By an unknown artist
Lithograph in black, hand coloured with watercolour, heightened with gum arabic
Bridge with Tower
Work signed J. W.
Pencil
Profile of Napoleon beside a Tomb and Weeping Willow
By an unknown artist, 1838
Pencil
Primroses with Scroll
By an unknown artist
Lithograph in black, hand coloured with watercolour
A Brightly Plumed Parrot
By an unknown artist
Gouache and watercolour over pencil, heightened with gold
La Jeune baigneuse
Autograph copy by Alfred Garneau, 1863
Handwritten poem
La Jeune baigneuse
Autograph copy by Alfred Garneau, 1863
Handwritten poem
Lilies-of-the-Valley with Scroll
By an unknown artist, 1878
Lithograph in black, hand coloured with watercolour, heightened with gum arabic
“Montmorenci” Falls
Work signed L. W., 1836
Pencil with some opaque white
Regrets
Autograph copy by L.J.C. Fiset, 1861
Handwritten poem
Regrets
Autograph copy by L.J.C. Fiset, 1861
Handwritten poem
Regrets
Autograph copy by L.J.C. Fiset, 1861
Handwritten poem
Regrets
Autograph copy by L.J.C. Fiset, 1861
Handwritten poem
Regrets
Autograph copy by L.J.C. Fiset, 1861
Handwritten poem
Two Butterflies and a Twig
By an unknown artist
Watercolour and gouache over pencil, heightened with gum arabic
A Lady Belleau
Autograph copy by E.P. Taché, 1863
Handwritten poem
Souvenir of the Death of Julie Helene Van Felson
By an unknown artist, 1867
Pressed flowers, hair, ribbon, paper, photograph, with oval border in gold paint, pen and black ink, grey and pinkish-brown wash
Lake with Fir Trees
By E. E. Taché
Watercolour over pencil
Court House, Québec
By Samuel S. Kilburn
Pen and black ink, watercolour touched with gouache and opaque white
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The Artist Herself: Self-Portraits by Canadian Historical Women Artists is curated by Alicia Boutilier and Tobi Bruce, and organised and circulated by the Agnes Etherington Art Centre and the Art Gallery of Hamilton, with the generous support of the Government of Canada, the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, the City of Hamilton, the City of Kingston Arts Fund through the Kingston Arts Council, and the Janet Braide Memorial Fund, Celebrate Agnes Fund and Iva Speers Fund for Art Education, Queen’s University.
The exhibition is on view at the following Canadian venues:
Agnes Etherington Art Centre, Queen’s University,
Kingston, ON (2 May–9 August 2015)
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, BC
(2 October 2015–3 January 2016)
Kelowna Art Gallery, BC (23 January–3 April 2016)
Art Gallery of Hamilton, ON (28 May–11 September 2016)
The interpretive material was compiled by Alicia Boutilier and Pat Sullivan, Agnes Etherington Art Centre
Photo credit for album image: Library and Archives Canada (e008300827-v8 to e008300827_s5-v8, e010767430-v8 to e010767533-v8)
Photo credit for Belleau photo: Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec. Gift of Gabrielle Baillargeon (1986.110)
Photo: Idra Labrie
Readings from ‘Ladies Albums’, Graham’s Magazine, vol.2, no.1, 1827, and Original Album Verses and Acrostics, Toronto/Clifton, Toronto News Co., c.1800, performed by Simon Gagnon
Recorded by Josh Lyon
Video of artist Rebecca Soudant produced by Josh Lyon