Montreal, Canadian Scenery, after W. H. Bartlett, Antique Engraving, circa 1842

An original steel engraving of Montreal seen from the Saint Lawrence River, lettered "Montreal (from the St. Lawrence)" with the credits "W. H. Bartlett" at lower left and "C. Cousen" at lower right. The plate was drawn by William Henry Bartlett and engraved by Charles Cousen for Canadian Scenery Illustrated, the book by Nathaniel Parker Willis published in London by George Virtue between 1840 and 1842, and it has been colored by hand at a later date.

A timber raft heaped with goods and worked by oarsmen pushes through choppy water in the foreground, a reminder of the great Canadian lumber trade that floated down the river toward Quebec. Beyond it a square rigged ship with reefed sails rides at anchor at the right, schooners with red sails lie off to the left, a steamer trails smoke along the waterfront, and small boats move between them. The long line of warehouses and houses stretches along the shore, the twin towers of the church of Notre Dame rise above the roofs, and the wooded slopes of Mount Royal fill the background under a cloudy sky.

Bartlett was one of the most admired topographical artists of the nineteenth century, and Canadian Scenery Illustrated, with its more than one hundred plates after his drawings, remains one of the most important early visual records of Canada. No publisher's imprint appears on this impression.

The later color, in soft blues, greens and warm reds, brings out the sails, the figures and the slopes of the mountain while leaving the fine steel line clearly visible.

This is a classic early view of Montreal and a natural choice for collectors of Canadiana, maritime prints or the history of Quebec. It would frame handsomely for a home, an office or a study.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed.