canoe maker

Historic Paddle Art - Cornelius Krieghoff Illustration

While searching through the Library & Archives of Canada site for historical art, I came across some more work of renowned Canadian artist, Cornelius Krieghoff (1815 � 1872) which featured a highly decorated, chevron-themed paddle. Difficult to spot in the tiny pic, but the paddle is at the lower right of tree, leaning nearly horizontally on a canvas roll pack.


Indian Encampment at Falls
Date: post 1846
Library and Archives Canada, Acc. No. 1989-508-1


Chevron Paddle Closeup

Another more detailed Krieghoff painting which shows a similarly chevron decorated paddle is one of his classic works, Indian Wigwam in Lower Canada.


Indian Wigwam in Lower Canada.
1848
Library and Archives Canada, Acc. No. 1989-511-1


Paddle closeup
If this latter painting looks familiar, it's because it is identical to that in McCord Museum collection that I posted on earlier. It seems that these chevron decorations are a common feature in many historical paintings. Not known is whether this image is based on historically accurate representation or whether Krieghoff took liberties with the painting based on previous images in historical texts