Painting Niagara-on-the-Lake: Images by Various Artists

By Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum

Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum

Niagara-on-the-Lake’s
beauty has inspired visitors and artists for centuries and has

continued to attract artists of all kinds because of the
beauty of

our Town's landscape and built heritage.

View from Queenston Heights. (1835/1835) by Philip John Bainbrigge (1817-1881)Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum

Introduction

All of the paintings in this exhibit are inspired or created by artists who attempted to capture the beauty of Niagara's landscape or built heritage. The Niagara River, as seen in this view from Queenston Heights, is often portrayed. 

View of Fort Niagara. (1865/1865) by John Herbert CaddyNiagara-on-the-Lake Museum

Fort Niagara, which stands prominently on the American side of the Niagara River, has been a source of inspiration to many artists. Each artists portrays the fort a little differently.

Battle of Fort George (1817/1817) by UnknownNiagara-on-the-Lake Museum

This painting depicts the American attack on Niagara during the War of 1812 with the river as a divide between the two warring nations.

Can you see the difference between the fort in the previous painting and this one?

Town of Niagara (Niagara-on-the-Lake).

Butler’s Barracks. (1854/1855) by Captain Taylor.Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum

For years Niagara has been a military town. The military buildings have been a source for inspiration to many artists.

Colonel's Residence. (1854/1854) by Captain Taylor.Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum

A Happy Christmas and a Bright New Year. (1899/1899) by Edmund Wyly Grier (1862—1957)Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum

The Old Barn. (1984/1985) by Alma KingdonNiagara-on-the-Lake Museum

An example of a local handmade building.

Fort George Gun Powder Magazine (1921/1921) by L.L. A.K. HoodNiagara-on-the-Lake Museum

Courthouse and Fire Department Tower (1948/1948) by John Freeling HuntNiagara-on-the-Lake Museum

Some structures, like this one, no longer stand.

The hose tower was built behind the Town Hall/ former Court House.

It was destroyed by a fire in 1953.

Rural Matinee (1940/1960) by Captain John D. ShaweNiagara-on-the-Lake Museum

Some buildings have changed over the years. The front facade on the former Brock theater has changed.

Tap to explore

The facade today.

Milloy House. by George Bruenech (1851-1916)Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum

108 Johnson Street. (1933/1935) by H. SewellNiagara-on-the-Lake Museum

Crooks’ House. (1986/1986) by Ken GentNiagara-on-the-Lake Museum

Untitled. (1950/1950)Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum

Fort MississaugaNiagara-on-the-Lake Museum

Fort Mississauga 

The construction of Fort Mississauga began in 1814. It was meant as a counter position to the American Fort Niagara on the opposite bank of the Niagara River. The fort was built with an irregular star shape which features a stone “Martello-type” tower. The tower and magazines built into the earthworks incorporated stone and brick rubble salvaged from the town and from the nearby lighthouse. After the War of 1812, the fort was left to deteriorate and was disarmed in 1856. 

Fort Mississauga. by Marmaduke Matthews (1837-1913)Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum

In later years, Fort Mississauga was used as a summer training camp for Canadian military.

The Fog Bell. (1886/1886) by Emma Augusta CurrieNiagara-on-the-Lake Museum

Untitled. (1870/1870) by Hannah Catharine Lowe ServosNiagara-on-the-Lake Museum

The site was also used for recreational purposes, including strolling, picnicking and golfing. A nine-hole golf course has existed on the site since the late 1870s. It is currently a National Historic Site.

Sunset of Fort Mississauga. (1908/1908) by G.A. MeagherNiagara-on-the-Lake Museum

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

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