Photographs of 19th-century Quebec restored from oblivion by the McCord Museum

With over 250 original copies and reproductions, Alexander Henderson – Art and Nature Comprising the first large -scale exhibition centered on the work of this photographer, born in 1831 in Scotland and arrived in Canada at the age of 24 when he was destined for a career as an accountant.

It will immerse 19th-century visitors to Quebec and Western Canada with shots, often snowy, of spring ice jams in St. Louis. Lawrence River, Mount Royal, but also views of the Saguenay, Laurentian rivers, aboriginal fishing camps on the Restigouche River and British Columbia.

The public will discover the wealth of his workwelcomes Hélène Samson, curator at the McCord Museum.

The negatives were destroyed

Despite his prolific production between 1857 and 1897, Alexander Henderson remained forgotten for a long time, despite the prizes he was able to win at international exhibitions in New York in 1877 and 1878, for not being informed. of his family his work. .

” When she died, her obituary did not mention her photographic work, Hélène Samson explains. When they emptied the family’s large home, the family broke down the negatives [après avoir tenté sans succès de les vendre]. “

It was specialists in the history of photography and art, such as the historian and writer Gérard Morisset, who helped remove Alexander Henderson’s name from anonymity in the last century.

The McCord Museum then acquired prints – it already has more than 2,000 in its collection – and Stanley Triggs, who was curator at the McCord Museum last century, researched Alexander Henderson to write a biography from him. Stanley Triggs was scheduled to publish his book twice, but those plans were canceled.

In close contact with nature

Unlike photographers Notman and Livernois who were also pioneers of Quebec photography, Alexander Henderson did not take photographs in order, as he was independent of fate and therefore could only photograph what he was interested in. him, in particular nature. . We are not in Notman and Livernois in the closeness to nature as in Hendersonemphasizes the manager who specializes in photography.

Most of the photos shown were not large, as the copies were made without enlargement at the time and the negatives were gone. These prints are the last traces we have left of Alexander Henderson, it is priceless said Hélène Samson.

The exhibition Alexander Henderson – Art and Nature is on display at the McCord Museum, in Montreal, until April 16, 2023. The eponymous book is sold in the museum’s boutique.

This text is notably written froman interview conducted by Catherine Richercultural columnist on the show 15-18. Comments may have been edited for clarity or brevity.