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The Citadelle, Thursday, June 26, 2008
It is with great joy that we welcome you here to the Citadelle, the governor general’s second official residence, as the City of Québec bustles with excitement, ready to celebrate its 400th anniversary.
Michel Melot, who among other things played a part in the creation of the new national library of France, evocatively described collectors in La Revue de l’Art as creators who try to construct a coherent whole, and in so doing, create an original work.
It is one such original work, timeless and rare, that Peter Winkworth passed on to us shortly before his death in 2005: more than 700 watercolours and drawings, 3 300 prints, 100 cards and paintings.
It is the work of a passionate man, a scholar, a keen connoisseur of early Canadian art.
It is the work of a lifetime.
What Peter Winkworth did for himself and for us is priceless.
More than just archives, more than images that reproduce the landscapes, events and activities of daily life, these works bring to life this bygone era, its challenges, its hopes, its values and its evolution, through the eyes and sensibilities of the artists.
Beyond simply depicting reality as one might interpret it, there is a desire to spotlight, to tell, to express something intangible, unchanging, and to become a part of our history.
These watercolours, washes and sketches speak to us beyond time. They are an invitation to bring the past into the present so that we are better able to face the future.
Part of who we are is reflected in these works, something that Peter Winkworth has given back to us and to future generations.
And I can think of no better way to mark 400 years of history and French presence in the Americas than to bring together some of the most evocative works depicting early Quebec.
They are extraordinary works, created by a number of renowned artists, including James Pattison Cockburn, Frances Anne Hopkins and George Heriot.
This exhibition is a realization of Peter Winkworth’s desire to share his collection with all Canadians, and I would like to sincerely thank Library and Archives Canada, which spearheaded this project and has been a key partner.
I invite all Canadians to discover these wonderful Canadian works, which speak to who we are, our roots, our evolution and our place in history.
Thank you, and may we all have an opportunity to share our own impressions of Québec.