Robert Harris was a prominent Canadian painter born on September 18, 1849, in Vale of Conway, Wales, United Kingdom. He immigrated to Canada with his family in 1856, settling in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Harris developed an interest in art at an early age and pursued his passion by studying in Boston, London, and Paris, where he was influenced by the French academic painting tradition.
Harris is best known for his portraits and his most famous work, 'The Fathers of Confederation,' which depicted the 1864 Charlottetown Conference where discussions about the confederation of Canada took place. Unfortunately, this iconic painting was destroyed in a fire in 1916 at the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa. Despite the loss, Harris's preparatory sketches and studies for the painting remain valuable to Canadian history.
Throughout his career, Harris painted numerous Canadian politicians, businessmen, and cultural figures. He was a founding member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts and also served as the president of the Academy. His works are characterized by a realistic portrayal of his subjects, with attention to detail and a rich portrayal of character and mood.
Harris's contribution to Canadian art is significant, as he captured the likeness and spirit of many individuals who played vital roles in the nation's development. Unfortunately, his career was often challenged by the limited market for art in Canada at the time, leading him to rely on portrait commissions to sustain his practice.
Robert Harris passed away on February 27, 1919, in Montreal, Quebec. His legacy continues to be celebrated, and his works can be found in the collections of the National Gallery of Canada, the Confederation Centre Art Gallery in Charlottetown, and many other public and private collections. Harris's dedication to his craft and his role in documenting Canada's early history through art have cemented his position as a significant figure in the annals of Canadian art history.
