Longed.

Hopkins, Canoes in a Fog, Lake Superior, 1869

Imagine yourself part of 1869 London society, entering the brand new galleries at Burlington House, and viewing landscapes of the English countryside, portraits of nobles or other important persons, scenes of hunting, horses, seascapes and sailing ships, or great military battles—and then seeing these three canoes paddled by exotically dressed voyageurs heading into Lake Superior’s misty unknown. It caused comment. The Prince of Wales (future Edward VII) liked this picture so much that he purchased a large drawing that hung at Marlborough House, no doubt as a reminder of the canoe fêtes during his 1860 official visit to Canada. He remembered meeting the artist, Frances Anne Hopkins, at a luncheon in his honor on Ile Dorval.

The morning mist of Canoes in a Fog, Lake Superior may have seemed only romantic atmosphere to the London audiences, but Lake Superior travelers know it well, and it evokes a sensation of damp chill. This masterful style of composition, at once artistically appealing and totally accurate, is typical of Hopkins’ best work. Lake Superior’s fog has already blurred the two canoes ahead and even the bowman of the last canoe. Despite the potential danger this exact moment is beautiful, and British art fans no doubt longed to take Mrs. Hopkins’ seat in the canoe.

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