Robert Harris (September 18, 1849 - February 27, 1919) was a notable Canadian artist celebrated for his iconic work, "The Fathers of Confederation," and for his contributions to the world of art.
Born as the third child of nine in Caerhun, United Kingdom, Robert Harris and his family immigrated to Canada in 1856, where they settled in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Harris's determination to become an artist took him to Boston, where he pursued his studies in painting. To finance his education, he turned to portrait painting and also worked as a surveyor and cartographer.
Robert Harris; Margery Davidson, 1905
Harris continued his artistic education with notable mentors, studying under Alphonse Legros at the Slade School of Art in London and with Leon Bonnat at the Atelier Bonnat in Paris. These experiences enriched his artistic skills and broadened his horizons.
Upon returning to Canada, Robert Harris made Montreal his home and produced illustrations for various publications in Boston, Halifax, Montreal, and Toronto. His artistic prowess shone in his ability to capture the essence of historical events and figures.
He was also a sucessful teacher at the Ontario School of Art, where his most famous sudent was George Agnew Reid.
Robert Harris; The Review (Max Heinrich Concert), 1908
One of Harris's most acclaimed works was "Meeting of the Delegates of British North America to Settle the Terms of Confederation," a canvas illustrating the conference at Quebec in 1884. This painting became renowned but, sadly, was later destroyed during a fire at the Parliament building in Ottawa. Despite this loss, Robert Harris's contributions to Canadian art history remain celebrated and continue to be a source of inspiration and pride for the nation.