Step into a world alive with colour, light and movement with the exhibition River of Dreams – Impressionism on the St. Lawrence, presented at the Canadian Museum of History as of Friday, November 21.
Showcasing a dazzling collection of works of art from a century ago by luminaries such as Maurice Cullen, Clarence Gagnon, Ozias Leduc, Henrietta Mabel May, James Wilson Morrice, and Marc-Aurèle de Foy Suzor-Coté, the exhibition is a masterful celebration of Quebec art and its Impressionist heritage. Through radiant brushwork and evocative compositions, these artists chronicled a society shifting from pastoral rhythms toward the accelerating tempo of industry and modern city life.
“River of Dreams offers a powerful perspective on the cultural and artistic evolution of Quebec,” said Caroline Dromaguet, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of History. “Through the eyes of its most renowned Impressionist painters, the exhibition reveals how art can illuminate moments of profound societal change and preserve the spirit of a people in transition.”
The artists, many of whom were trained in France, brought back the principles of Impressionism and reinterpreted them through a distinctly Canadian sensibility. Their paintings reflect the changing rhythms of Quebec society, from quiet villages and snowy fields to the bustling docklands, markets, factories and streets of Montréal. The exhibition offers a visual journey along the St. Lawrence River — from the heart of Montréal to Québec City, and through the beloved Charlevoix region and Côte-de-Beaupré.
To enrich visitors’ experience, the Museum of History has contributed select artifacts and objects from its collections, adding tangible traces of everyday life that deepen the exhibition’s historical context. Archival photographs, textiles, pottery, and other items offer insight into the lived realities of the era and the world these artists immortalized before it slipped away.
This exhibition offers a rare opportunity to take a masterful look at the legacy of Quebec painting, while also discovering a world and culture captured at the very moment of their transformation through the eyes of its most celebrated artists.
Organized and circulated by the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, River of Dreams – Impressionism on the St. Lawrence will be on view at the Canadian Museum of History from November 21, 2025 to August 30, 2026. The exhibition tour is supported by Power Corporation of Canada.
In parallel, the National Gallery of Canada offers a striking reflection on landscape and season with Winter Count: Embracing the Cold, on display from November 21, 2025 until March 22, 2026. Featuring more than 150 works, spanning from the early 19th century to the present day. This is the first exhibition to bring together Indigenous, Canadian settler, and northern European perspectives on winter’s significant impact across diverse cultures and artistic expressions.
Photo :
Knitting, 1915
Oil on canvas
Pierre Lassonde Collection