Straatgezicht in Québec met Château Frontenac before 1894

Jules-Ernest Livernois produced this photograph of a street scene in Québec featuring the Château Frontenac. The image offers a glimpse into late 19th-century urban life in Canada. It shows a busy street, lined with buildings and people going about their day. The Château Frontenac, a grand hotel, dominates the background, symbolizing the city's connection to European architectural traditions and its aspirations as a tourist destination. Québec City, with its unique blend of French and British cultural influences, faced distinct social dynamics. The city's identity has been shaped by debates over language, religion, and cultural heritage. Images like this one became important in promoting tourism and a particular vision of Québec's identity. Further research into archival records, local histories, and studies of Canadian visual culture would enrich our understanding of this photograph. In the end, art’s meaning is always rooted in its socio-political and institutional contexts.