Page 264 - YGARTUA : The Work Of A Genius

THE GREAT PEACE OF MONTREAL 1701 The backdrop was a combination of paintings from that time

period, with the natives and French that had gathered together
“In 2003 I was approached by a Swiss Banker who was with the British for the signing of the Treaty. I did have to do

interested in commissioning me to do the principal painting quite a bit of research on the subject - it is always crucial that
for his self-owned bank in Montreal. The Swiss Banker, whose the main figure is commanding, giving that powerful presence I

bank was in Montreal, wanted me to reproduce The Great am always trying to introduce to make a predominant statement.
Peace of Montreal, the famous Peace Treaty of 1701. At that When living in Quebec, one becomes very aware of their history

time, we didn’t really think of the value of historical records and the fascination of Quebec City, one of the oldest European
of my work in strategic locations around the world. The Swiss settlements in North America founded nearly 400 years ago and
Banker was already an admirer of my native work, and his quickly minted as the “Capital of New France,” the city eventually

idea was to have a study of a Huron Native in the foreground, fell under British rule before Canada declared independence in
as the Hurons among other Indigenous groups were allied 1867. I did feel a connection, in particular to this subject matter,

with the French, so important that a Huron Native would be due to our familiarity with Quebec and the Quebecois and their
in the forefront of the painting. history that made a statement in my painting.

THE GREAT PEACE OF MONTREAL1701, 2004 ACRYLIC ON CANVAS 60X95.5 IN. | 152X243 CM.

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