Canoes in Harbour

About this object

History of use

Based on stylistic characteristics, Doris Shadbolt (1975) attributes these watercolours to about 1895. The scenes are mainly from the Victoria area, and the Fraser Valley. They predate Emily Carr's trips to coastal indigenous villages, but the prevalence of canoes and forests attest to her early interest in these themes, which she developed fully in her later paintings.

Cultural context

Canadian art; late 19th century watercolours.

Physical description

Small, rectangular shaped, watercolour study with Northwest Coast style canoes along shore on left. There is a small house with a staircase above the canoes and bushes behind. There is a figure in black on the stairs; figure in red in front of the house. Purple rock behind bushes, lighter purple mountains in background on left. Blue sky above white clouds. Water is grey with reflections. Image mounted on a light grey backing card.