Sleighing on the St. Lawrence, 1846, circa 1846

Walter Klinkhoff Gallery, Montreal Acquired by the present Private Collection, June 1981

"Collector’s Canada: Selections from a Toronto Private Collection", Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto; travelling to Musée du Québec, Quebec City; Vancouver Art Gallery; Mendel Art Gallery, Saskatoon, 14 May 1988‒7 May 1989, no. 7 as "Sleighing on the St. Lawrence", circa 1850 "James Duncan (1806-1881), Painter of Montreal", McCord Stewart Museum, Montreal, 2023 as "Sleighing on the St. Lawrence", 1846

Dennis Reid, "Collector’s Canada: Selections from a Toronto Private Collection", Toronto, 1988, no. 7, reproduced page 19 Laurier Lacroix and Suzanne Sauvage, "James Duncan (1806-1881), Painter of Montreal", Montreal, 2023, reproduced pages 156-157

Sleigh riding was a favourite winter activity of the Montreal upper- class and military during the 19th century. It was expensive to acquire a team of two or four horses and a quality sleigh. The owners formed clubs to organize group outings to parade through the city and across the frozen river, their route marked by branches. These outings provided additional occasions to socialize in winter while showing off one’s sleigh as well as jingling bells, luxurious furs, and elegant outfits. James Duncan recruited many of his clients from among the city's elite, and was well-acquainted with their customs. This spectacular view portrays elegant sleighs fitted with fine metal blades adapted for gliding on ice surfaces. They cross paths with low sleighs driven by local residents, unlike the others, which are led by a coachman. This panoramic view emphasizes Montreal’s diversity, showcasing the range of social classes demonstrated by the types of sleighs. The residential and business areas of the city, with its dominant church steeples and the silhouette of Bonsecours Market, are juxtaposed with the industrial sector, where chimneys rise along the Lachine Canal on the left side of the composition. We extend our thanks to Laurier Lacroix, C.M., art historian, for researching this artwork and for contributing the preceding essay.