Challener, F.S. (1919). The Fathers of Confederation [Oil on canvas]. ©Government of Ontario Art Collection, Archives of Ontario
The Fathers of Confederation is the largest painting in the collection, measuring 3 m x 6 m (11.5’ x 20’). Commissioned by Premier Howard Hearst (1914-1919), it was painted by Frederick Challener and based on an original work by Robert Harris that hung in the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa until destroyed by a fire in 1916. The piece was originally intended to hang in the Chamber of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario but has made its way through several locations around the building – including its current home outside the Premier’s Office.
The painting depicts the Quebec Conference of 1864, where delegates from Canada East and West and the Maritime provinces gathered for a second time to advance discussions about uniting the British North American provinces. Their work produced 72 resolutions, known as the Quebec Resolutions, which were later presented in London and became the foundation of the British North America Act, passed in March 1867, leading to the creation of the Dominion of Canada on July 1, 1867.
Did you know? Challener added a copy of The Globe under George Brown’s chair in his version of the painting, as Brown was its founder in 1844. Take a close look at the painting and see if you can spot it!