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The Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec is funded by the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications du Québec.

  
Collections
Selected works from the beginnings to 1900

James Pattison Cockburn
New York (United States), 1779 – Woolwich (England), 1847
Training
  • Studied painting at the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich and became a topographical painter for the British army.
Artistic production
  • From the 17th century to the early 20th century, soldiers were given instruction in drawing to help them recount battles and detail defence systems and fortifications.
  • Cockburn’s work (watercolours, drawings and sepias) is of inestimable documentary value for Canadian history. This military artist was particularly interested in Québec City, its architecture, narrow streets and picturesque landscapes. His topographical works show great attention to detail and precision in portraying his subject.
Alongside his artistic career
  • Performed important duties in the British army.
  • Stayed in Canada on two occasions (1822-1823 and 1826-1832). Painted the watercolours of Québec City on his second trip.
Features
  • Published his own travelogue, Quebec and Its Environs, in 1831.