Paul Kane one of Canada’s greatest aboriginal and landscape artist
On my walk through St. James the-Less Cemetery in Toronto, I came upon the weathered and eroding monument of one of Canada’s greatest 19th-century painters, Paul Kane.
Born in Ireland and largely self-taught, Kane attended Upper Canada College and honed his artistic skills by copying the works of European masters. After years of inspired travel through the United States and Europe, he returned to Canada with a passion to capture the land and its peoples.
In 1845, Kane journeyed along the shores of Lake Huron to Sault Ste. Marie, sketching the landscapes and communities he encountered. His desire to explore further west was fueled by these early travels. The Hudson’s Bay Company, recognizing the value of his work, commissioned him to accompany their traders, documenting trading posts and indigenous life along the way. His journey culminated at Fort Vancouver, the main trading post in the Oregon Territory—a lifelong dream realized.
Upon returning to Toronto, Kane held several well-received exhibitions, which led to government commissions and financial support, enabling him to pursue art full-time. His success peaked in 1855 when his paintings were showcased at the World’s Fair in Paris. From there, several of his works were sent to Buckingham Palace for the consideration of Queen Victoria herself.
World’s Fair in Paris, 1855.
Paul Kane’s impact on Canadian art was formally recognized in 1937, when he was declared a National Historic Person. In 1971, marking the centenary of his death, Canada Post issued a postage stamp featuring his name and his famous painting, Indian Encampment on Lake Huron. That same year, the City of Toronto purchased and restored his dilapidated home, designating it a heritage structure to preserve his legacy.
Paul Kane died in Toronto on February 20, 1871, He was 60.
1810-1871
Weather erosion made it very difficult for me to find his grave. The monument should be refurbished using public funding in recognition of Paul Kane’s contribution to Canadian arts and culture.
Paul Kane, Scene in the Northwest—Portrait of John Henry Lefroy, c. 1845–46. Sold at auction in 2002 for $5 million dollars.
Paul Kane’s home purchases by the City of Toronto in 1971. (56 Wellesley Street East, Toronto, ON.)
