Saint Lawrence, gezien vanaf de Plains of Abraham, Québec 1924 - 1926

This unassuming photograph by J. Dearden Holmes captures the Saint Lawrence River from the Plains of Abraham in Quebec. But what does it tell us about Canadian culture and its institutions at the time it was made? The Plains of Abraham is no ordinary landscape; it's a site laden with historical significance, most notably the 1759 battle that saw the British defeat the French, a turning point in the struggle for control of Canada. Holmes's photograph invites reflection on how this history is remembered and visually represented. Is it a self-consciously conservative or progressive perspective? The presence of a cannon serves as a visual reminder of this history. By examining archival material, such as tourist brochures and historical society records, we can gain insight into the complex negotiations of cultural identity, public memory, and institutional power that shape this image. The photograph reminds us that art is not created in a vacuum but is deeply embedded in social context.