Portraits of John and Elizabeth Simcoe
Celebrating August's Civic Holiday would not be complete without crediting John Graves Simcoe, the first-lieutenant governor of Upper Canada, and his loving companion, author and illustrator Elizabeth Posthuma Simcoe. Before her birth, pain, tragedy, and sacrifice marked the start of her life. Despite the struggles of growing up without her paren'ts, her aunt Margaret Gwillim succeeded in raising an intelligent and strong lady.
Below are a images related to Elizabeth and John Simcoe from Toronto Public Library's Digital Archive.
The couple was portrayed by Michael Stevenson and Maureen Patterson at Todmorden Mills in 1977.
This is another handsome rendition of John Graves Simcoe in 1985 played by CBC's radio announcer Joe Cote from Metro Morning (1979-1992).
John Graves Simcoe will never be forgotten for his heroic deeds and neither should Joe Cote as John Graves Simcoe and Kathleen Sandler as Elizabeth Simcoe who are seen above donating their blood for a worthy cause.
Elizabeth Simcoe's pen and ink drawings were often modified with water colours by other artists, including this brilliant painting of Queenston in 1792 which Owen Staples enhanced with more colour vibrancy.
Owen Staples likely based this painting on a work by Elizabeth Simcoe of the Residence of Sir D.W. Smith at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario in 1794.
This is a plate rendition of of her original painting of the Credit River in 1796 which is marvelous in its simplicity.
Along with raw landscapes like the ones above, Elizabeth Simcoe also sketched human portraits including this Ojibwa Chief, Great Sail.
The King's Head Inn from the northwest Burlington Bay was a tranquil scene as depicted by Elizabeth Simcoe and enhanced once again by Owen Staples.
Enjoy this last summer long weekend and take in all the warm and welcome scenes that Ontario has to offer. Perhaps catch a glimpse of what Elizabeth Simcoe has seen in her own journeys centuries ago.
4 thoughts on “Portraits of John and Elizabeth Simcoe”
Thank you so much, Ann, for your thoughtful and informative blog about John and Elizabeth Simcoe. I am so glad, despite the early loss of her paren’ts, that Elizabeth became a talented artist who wanted to depict her Ontario travels. She really is inspiring!
Dear Muriel:
I am so glad you like this short blog and thank you for your generous feedback. August long weekend, for me, is acknowledging John and Elizabeth Simcoe’s contributions to our land. This is also a perfect long weekend before the end of the summer season.
I do enjoy Owen Staple’s colourful enhancement of her paintings. This provides more in-depth details that may have been initially missed by the faint watercolours Elizabeth used and the colours may have faded over time. Also, the actors representing the lovely couple brings them back to life to all of us to meet and greet.
I enjoyed your blog as well. These are individuals and facts that all Ontarians should know.
Thank you Ann!
Hi Cat!
Thank you for your wonderful reply. I am glad you enjoyed reading my blog. The VRL aims to reach into the history of Ontario with snapshots of the past. The images are entertaining and insightful indeed.