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The Hudson’s Bay Company’s contribution to the work of three important artists in their territory, 1821-1860

University of British Columbia

Through the study of archival documents and published source material this thesis addresses the relationships between the Hudson's Bay Company and three major artists of the Canadian frontier in the mid Nineteenth century. The objective was to enlarge our understanding of the forces which shaped the artistic records of what is now Western Canada by examining the assistance given to artists by the most influential institution in the region. Three major artists, were selected as case studies: Peter Rindisbacher, Henry Warre and Paul Kane. Each artist was dependent upon the Company in a different way. Past accounts have underestimated the importance of H.B.C. aid to the success of Kane's and Rindisbacher's work. Henry Warre's relationship to the Company was less successful than the dedication of his Sketches in North America and the Oregon Territory to the Governor and Committee of the Hudson's Bay Company would suggest. The Company was a significant force in the frontier. Their contribution consisted mainly of providing transportation, guides, supplies and lodging to the artists as well as to scientific expeditions. Although the Company was first and foremost a fur trading institution, it was sincerely interested in art, and made major contributions to the advancement of knowledge about North America, Motivations for this assistance included a traditional interest in art, enhancement of the Company's image, the initiative of influential employees, and a desire to augment their museum collections with appropriate artworks from the Company territory.

Text

2010-03-09

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/21673

Fine Arts

University of British Columbia

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