Historic Paddle Illustration - Henry Pooley - Rideau Canal, Ottawa River

A watercolour painting by Henry Pooley dated to 1833 shows a native encampment complete with wigwam, bark canoe and paddles.

Entrance of the Rideau Canal, Ottawa River, Canada, 1833

Henry Pooley

Watercolour over graphite on wove paper

34.9 x 44.7 cm

Purchased 1982

National Gallery of Canada (no. 28026)


Closeup

I've never really found watercolours great at showcasing details, but Pooley captures the elongated spear shape of the paddle blades with the faintest appearance of some sort of bobble grip. The ends of the canoes look quite exaggerated however so there must be some artistic license with this image