Lucius O'Brien Canadian, 1832-1899

Fishing Boats, Cap Chat, Quebec by Lucius O’Brien is a 13.5 x 22.25 inch watercolour on paper that is protected by Denglas and was produced in 1890. The piece depicts an overcast day on the rocky shores of regional Quebec. Waves crash upon the coastline as a small rowboat struggles to make its way before the seemingly impending storm. The composition emphasizes the enormous sky above, dwarfing the figures in their tiny boat and adding to the drama of the painting. O’Brien uses large washes in the background and much finer detail in the foreground which gives the piece a significant sense of depth.

Lucius O’Brien was one of the most prominent artists of his generation. Born in 1832, he was the first president of the Canadian Academy of Arts and the vice-president of the Ontario Society of Artists. He specialized in painting landscapes in both oil and watercolour.