Gezicht op het douanegebouw van Québec before 1894

This photograph of the Quebec Customs House was created by Jules-Ernest Livernois. It presents us with an important reminder of the role of trade and taxation in the development of Canada. The Customs House, prominently centered, uses a neoclassical architectural style. It's a clear visual symbol of authority and order. Think about the ships docked nearby. They were the lifeblood of the city's economy, bringing goods and people from across the Atlantic. The Customs House oversaw all of that, collecting duties and enforcing regulations. This would have been made during a time of increasing economic integration with the British Empire. As such, it reminds us that this building was a key point of contact between the local economy and the wider world. To understand this photograph better, you might consult historical trade records, architectural surveys, and local histories of Quebec City. These kinds of resources would allow you to explore the specific social and institutional forces that shaped this image and the building it depicts.