Canada in the Frame

Canada in theFrame explores aphotographic collection held at the British Library that offers a unique viewof late nineteenth century and early twentieth century Canada. Thecollection, which contains in excess of 4,500 images, taken between 1895 and1923, covers a dynamic period in Canada's national history and provides avariety of views of its landscapes, developing urban areas and peoples.Colonial Copyright Law was the driver by which these photographs were acquired;unmediated by curators, but rather by the eye of the photographer who createdthe image, they showcase a grass-roots view of Canada during its early historyas a Confederation.

Canada in theFramedescribes this little-known collection and includes over 100 images from thecollection. The author asks key questions about what itshowscontemporary viewers of Canada and its photographic history,and about the peculiar viewthese photographs offer of a former part of the British Empire in apost-colonial age, viewed from the old 'Heart of Empire'. Case studies areincluded on subjects such as urban centres, railroads and migration, whichanalyse the complex ways in which photographers approached their subjects, inthe context of the relationship between Canada, the British Empire andphotography.