Name/Title
The First C.P.R. Locomotive, "Countess of Dufferin"Entry/Object ID
2017.01.01Description
Drawing
This image depicts a locomotive pointing westward (titled "The First CPR Locomotive" in script, named "COUNTESS OF DUFFERIN" below), situated on a colourful field, with the figure of a man in Victorian-era dress at the lower right identified as " Baron Mount Stephen George Stephen 1829-1921" in script. This drawing done, in 1972, marked the 100th anniversary of the building of this locomotive.
The Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) known as CP Rail between 1968 and 1996 and simply Canadian Pacific, is a historic Canadian railway incorporated in 1881.Artwork Details
Medium
Graphite and Conté crayon on paperSubject Place
Region
Great PlainsContinent
North AmericaContext
The "Countess of Dufferin" was the first steam locomotive to operate in the Canadian prairie provinces and is named after Hariot Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood, Countess of Dufferin (later Marchioness of Dufferin and Ava), the wife of Lord Dufferin, Governor General of Canada from 1872 to 1878. She was the first governor general’s wife to tour Canada and became one of the most well-known and popular viceregal consorts.
The Countess locomotive was brought to Canada to build the track that would link Canada’s west to the east. At the time, Canada’s Governor General, had promised B.C. a railway that would link that province with the rest of Canada. This was a decisive factor in B.C. joining Confederation in 1871. The last spike completing the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven in on November 7, 1885.
The Countess is an authentic Baldwin 4-4-0 American standard steam locomotive that was built in 1872 for the Northern Pacific Railroad. She was sold to track construction contractor Joseph Whitehead who was commissioned by the fledgling CPR to build track on the prairies. So, she first served as the locomotive power for a railway construction train, and later transported settlers and also trainloads of wheat for export. In 1897, the CPR sold her to the Columbia River Lumber Co. in Golden, B.C. She later returned to Manitoba, and after restorations, ultimately found her home at the Winnipeg Railway Museum.
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Born in Scotland, George Stephen, 1st Baron Mount Stephen was a prominent Canadian financier, businessman and philanthropist often credited as being the person most responsible for the completion and success of the Canadian Pacific Railway. He made his name in Montreal where he was involved in a number of businesses, forming boards, raising money for various ventures and working alongside prominent business names. His achievements were myriad such as: early election to the Montreal Board of Trade; serving as a director, later president, of the Bank of Montreal, and acting as president of the CPR in the critical years of railway development, 1881 to 1888. He was also recognized as one of the most generous philanthropists of his time, directing the majority of his fortune towards hospitals.Made/Created
Artist Information
Artist
Donald Harvey, RCA (1930-2015)Role
ArtistDate made
1972Time Period
20th CenturyNotes
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
Born in Walthamstow (now Greater London), England, Donald Harvey was a noted Canadian-British artist and influential educator. He completed a National Diploma of Painting as well as Design at the West Sussex College of Art (now Northbrook College) in 1950, and an Art Teachers Diploma at Brighton College of Art (now University of Brighton) the next year. Harvey was a school art master in Aberystwyth, Wales for four years, before immigrating to Canada, first in Toronto, then Winnipeg and then settling in Regina, Saskatchewan in 1958. He quickly became involved in the arts scene, serving as Executive Secretary of the Saskatchewan Arts Board. He settled permanently in Victoria in 1961. He co-founded the University of Victoria Department of Visual Arts and enjoyed a 30-year teaching career, as well as serving twice as the Department Chair. Harvey was elected an associate of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts in 1970. He was a member of the Senate and a President of the Faculty Association, and since 1995, Professor Emeritus of Fine Arts.
A member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts, his paintings, prints, and drawings received significant national and international recognition. He was recognized for his abstract expressionist painting experimentation and major contributions to mentoring new generations of practicing artists. He exhibited widely and his works are found in many permanent collections across Canada and beyond, with the largest collection held by The University of Victoria.Inscription/Signature/Marks
Type
Signature, Label, InscriptionLocation
Signed lower left: Harvey '72Transcription
Inscriptions: Title plus other text within drawing (as noted above)
Label verso on backing:
Pastel Drawing by Prof. Don Harvey
VICTORIA
for CPR Theatre Production with Carl Hare 1972
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Note: Carl Hare has had a long and successful career in the arts in Canada, as actor, playwright, director and poet.Dimensions
Dimension Description
SupportHeight
41.9 cmWidth
52.1 cmAcquisition
Acquisition Method
PurchaseDate
Dec 6, 2016Notes
Lunds Lot #94
