Photolithographe - Skating Carnival at the Victoria Rink | McCord Museum

Photolithographe

Skating Carnival at the Victoria Rink

Artist Inconnu / Unknown

Publisher Canadian Illustrated News

SignatureNon signé / Unsigned

Date 1870/03/19

Medium / Technique Ink on paper
Photolithography

Dimensions27.0 × 40.5 cm

ClassificationCommunication Objects - Documentary Objects - Graphic Documents

Origin Canada, North America

Object NumberM979.87.228

DivisionDocumentary Art

CollectionMcCord

CreditGift of Charles P. de Volpi

NotesThe illustrated press
The Canadian Illustrated News’ first illustration shows some of the more unusual characters at the carnival who were later downplayed or omitted in the composite photographs. They include a double bass or cello, a giant teacup, a rooster, and a giant head, as well as a blackface character. Such demeaning racialized portrayals were usually forbidden at balls and carnivals but were present in numbers when not strictly prohibited. The journal went on to print a second engraving, based on Notman’s composite. The Illustrated London News presented its own version, heavily based on Notman’s image but with a few differences. Can you identify them?

Status

On view

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