Premier Portraits and Fathers of Confederation
The collection of Ontario Premier portraits began with that of the province’s longest-serving Premier, Sir Oliver Mowat, who held office for 24 years (1872 to 1896). His portrait was unveiled in the Legislative Chamber after the Speech from the Throne on April 4, 1893 – the official opening day of the Queen’s Park Legislative Building. A few years later, the portrait of Mowat's predecessor, the Honourable Edward Blake (1871-1872), was added, establishing the tradition of commemorating each retiring Premier with an official portrait. Today, these works line the hallways of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and can be viewed in the East Wing of the second floor.
