Peter McLeod, 1854

Artist: Hamel, Théophile (1817-1870)

Medium: oil on canvas
Dimensions: 101.6 x 76.2 cm

Peter McLeod (ca. 1807-1852) was the son of a Scottish father and native Montagnais mother. in 1842, he launched the first timber operations in the Saguenay River valley in Quebec and is known as the founder of the city of Chicoutimi. His company enjoyed a business monopoly and near feudal control over the Saguenay communities, and he even managed for a time to thwart the attempts of the Catholic church to establish a congregation in the area. He could be generous however, and was a defender of native rights to which he himself also laid claim. When he died suddenly at a young age, his life and exploits became legend. This portrait was done two years after his death and is based on a photograph.

National Archives of Canada, negative no. C-092452