Alexander Henderson: Art and Nature

Alexander Henderson was a Scottish-born photographer who arrived in Montreal in 1855 at the age of twenty-four. His work laid the foundations of the Canadian romantic landscape and its themes: the magic of winter, the endless lure of the country's lakes and waterways, the metaphysical awe inspired by the vastness of its land and its great river. This publication accompanies the first exhibition devoted to his entire oeuvre and focuses on photographs that highlight the tonalities, textures, and clarity characteristic of the prints of the period.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 07 June 2022
Publisher: Yale University Press

Alexander Henderson, a Scottish-born photographer who arrived in Montreal in 1855 at the age of twenty-four, was driven by a passion to explore the Canadian wilderness. His keen eye for observation and his artistic sensibility led him to capture the essence of the Canadian landscape in his photographs.

Henderson's work, although relatively unknown among the general public, played a significant role in shaping the Canadian romantic landscape. His images showcased the magic of winter, the endless allure of Canada's lakes and waterways, and the metaphysical awe inspired by the vastness of its land and its great river. He also offered a colonial vision of the young North American city, documenting a number of significant railway projects in Canada.

This publication accompanies the first exhibition devoted to Alexander Henderson's entire oeuvre, focusing on photographs that highlight the tonalities, textures, and clarity characteristic of the prints of the period. Texts explore Henderson's biography, the sources and forms of romanticism evident in his landscapes, and the genesis of his work as a process of adaptation to the New World in a context of British imperialism.

Distributed for Editions Hazan, Paris, the exhibition schedule for Alexander Henderson's work is as follows:

McCord Museum, Montreal
(June 10, 2022–April 16, 2023)

Through his photographs, Alexander Henderson has left a lasting legacy that continues to inspire and captivate audiences today. His work serves as a testament to the beauty and diversity of the Canadian landscape and to the artistic talent and vision of a little-known photographer who played a crucial role in shaping the country's cultural heritage.

Dimension: 298 x 260 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300266924