E Ward (fl 1884) English / Canadian School 19th Century

E Ward (fl 1884), English/Canadian School
"A Winter Scene, Dundas, Ontario, 1884"
Signed "E Ward" lower right
Further inscribed, titled and dated verso
Oil on panel

Measures:-
30.5 cm x 46 cm

Provenance:
Chistie's, King Street, Sale of Topographical Paintings, Tuesday 22nd October 1991 - Lot 40
Private Collection UK.

A fascinating topographical painting from Victorian Canada depicting First Nation, Native Americans out hunting in the snow. The image signed "E Ward" and inscribed on the back "A Winter Scene, Dundas, Ontario, Canada, 1884, E Ward" and "To Maria &? our child? Warminster".

This scene (which is very much in the style of Cornelius Krieghoff (1815-1872)) depicts four native American hunters in a woodland clearing. Three are wearing traditional feather warbonnet headdresses and carrying rifles or spears over their shoulders, one appears to have a caught a rabbit. The fourth figure, possibly a youth, is pushing a toboggan up an embankment. In the background there are snow dusted trees and a distant ribbon waterfall.

Dundas is a community within the vicinity of Hamilton at the western end of Lake Ontario, in an area where there are over 100 waterfalls and cascades. The topography depicted and the specific confirmation of the location of Dundas, almost certainly identifies the scene as being near Tews Falls - a ribbon waterfall on the Logie's Creek watercourse. The indigenous population of this area were the Mississaugas, a subtribe of the Anishinaabe-speaking First Nations people. The image has a degree of sensitivity in its depiction of Native Americans living harmoniously in Canada in the period immediately after the Great Sioux War in the USA (after which numerous Lakota Sioux and Northern Cheyenne had sought refuge north of the border). It also predates the Ghost Dance War of 1890-91, during which the infamous Wounded Knee Massacre took place.

On the back of the panel, in addition to the ink inscription, there are various fragmentary labels and a hard to decipher pencil inscription which may be read "To Maria &? our child? Warminster". The reference to Warminster may indicate the artist was based at the British Army encampment at Warminster, Wiltshire, England and had been posted to the area of Canada where this scene was painted. The painting feels very much like a scene the artist witnessed first-hand.