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Joseph Légaré Paintings: The 23 Most Famous, Through a Gallery's Eye
Updated October 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 35 works by Joseph Légaré in our catalogue
In short
To the gallery's eye, Joseph Légaré's most famous painting is Conversion of Saint Paul (1822). Le Massacre des Hurons par les Iroquois (1827) and Le Père éternel entouré d'anges (1824) complete the trio every eye recognises. Of the 35 works by Joseph Légaré in our catalog, the gallery presents the 23 most famous below, each original with its year, its museum and what makes it unique.
1795 – 1855, Quebec City
Most works: Musée Des Beaux
The gallery's top 10 Joseph Légaré paintings
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Joseph Légaré paintings, ranked 11 to 23
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Cholera Plague, Quebec1832 · National Gallery of Canada
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Sainte Marguerite d'Antioche1825 · Musée Des Beaux
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Saint François d'Assise en prière devant un crucifix1825 · Musée Des Beaux
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Madame Charles-Maxime Defoy, née Marie-Louise Légaré, soeur de l'artiste1830 · Musée Des Beaux
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Nature morte au portrait de Calvin1835 · Musée Des Beaux
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La Chute Montmorency1839 · Musée Des Beaux
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The Corpus Christi Procession, Nicolet1832 · National Gallery of Canada
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L'Incendie du quartier Saint-Jean à Québec, vu vers l'ouest1845 · Musée Des Beaux
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Paysage au monument à Wolfe1845 · Musée Des Beaux
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The Martyrdom of Fathers Brébeuf and Lalemant1843 · National Gallery of Canada
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The Engagement of an Indian Girl1844 · National Gallery of Canada
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The Rock Slide at Cape Diamond1841 · Musée de la civilisation
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The Church of Sainte-FoyMusée de la civilisation
Cholera Plague, Quebec1832 · National Gallery of Canada
12Sainte Marguerite d'Antioche1825 · Musée Des Beaux
13Saint François d'Assise en prière devant un crucifix1825 · Musée Des Beaux
14Madame Charles-Maxime Defoy, née Marie-Louise Légaré, soeur de l'artiste1830 · Musée Des Beaux
15Nature morte au portrait de Calvin1835 · Musée Des Beaux
16La Chute Montmorency1839 · Musée Des Beaux
17The Corpus Christi Procession, Nicolet1832 · National Gallery of Canada
18L'Incendie du quartier Saint-Jean à Québec, vu vers l'ouest1845 · Musée Des Beaux
19Paysage au monument à Wolfe1845 · Musée Des Beaux
20The Martyrdom of Fathers Brébeuf and Lalemant1843 · National Gallery of Canada
21The Engagement of an Indian Girl1844 · National Gallery of Canada
22The Rock Slide at Cape Diamond1841 · Musée de la civilisation
23The Church of Sainte-FoyMusée de la civilisation
The museums that keep Joseph Légaré's originals
The 3 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Joseph Légaré | Paintings from this list |
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 Musée Des Beaux |
Québec City | 11 | Le Massacre des Hurons par les Iroquois, Le Père éternel entouré d'anges, Saint Jérôme entendant la trompette du Jugement dernier (La Vision de saint Jérôme) |
 National Gallery of Canada |
Ottawa | 9 | Josephte Ourné, Landscape, The Battle of Sainte-Foy |
 Musée de la civilisation |
Quebec City | 2 | The Rock Slide at Cape Diamond, The Church of Sainte-Foy |
Joseph Légaré, one signature painting per decade
Works per decade
Pick a decade to see the original that defines it.
1830s
Cholera Plague, Quebec
Age 35 – 44
5 works this decade
Joseph Légaré’s “Cholera Plague, Quebec,” painted in 1832, is more than a simple depiction of a nighttime scene; it’s a haunting meditation on vulnerability and societal disruption rendered with the stark clarity of black and white. Measuring 82 x 111 cm, this artwork immediately draws the viewer into a world steeped in shadow and anxiety, reflecting the profound anxieties gripping Quebec during the devastating cholera epidemic of that year.
Joseph Légaré's paintings: the gallery answers
Which Joseph Légaré painting is the most famous of all?Reveal the answer
Conversion of Saint Paul (1822). Le Massacre des Hurons par les Iroquois (1827) and Le Père éternel entouré d'anges (1824) come next.
How old was Joseph Légaré on completing Conversion of Saint Paul?Reveal the answer
27 years old: Conversion of Saint Paul dates from 1822, and Joseph Légaré was born in 1795.
Which are Joseph Légaré's top 10 paintings?Reveal the answer
Conversion of Saint Paul, Le Massacre des Hurons par les Iroquois, Le Père éternel entouré d'anges, Saint Jérôme entendant la trompette du Jugement dernier (La Vision de saint Jérôme), La Vision de saint Roch, Josephte Ourné, Landscape, The Battle of Sainte-Foy, Saint Francis of Paola Raising his Sister's Child from the Dead and Saint Philip Baptizing the Eunuch of Queen Candace. The ranking above gives each one's year and museum.
How many works did Joseph Légaré create?Reveal the answer
Our catalog holds 35 works by Joseph Légaré, dated from 1821 to 1854.
Where do Joseph Légaré's most famous originals hang?Reveal the answer
Mostly in Musée Des Beaux (Québec City), National Gallery of Canada (Ottawa) and Musée de la civilisation (Quebec City). The museum table above lists them all.
When did Joseph Légaré create the most famous paintings?Reveal the answer
In 1820s: 9 of the 23 works on this page were made then, Conversion of Saint Paul among them.
Which are Joseph Légaré's earliest and latest famous works?Reveal the answer
On this page, the earliest is Saint Francis of Paola Raising his Sister's Child from the Dead (1821) and the latest The Battle of Sainte-Foy (1854).
Which Joseph Légaré originals does the Musée Des Beaux hold?Reveal the answer
Le Massacre des Hurons par les Iroquois, Le Père éternel entouré d'anges and Saint Jérôme entendant la trompette du Jugement dernier (La Vision de saint Jérôme): the Musée Des Beaux, Québec City holds 11 of the works on this page.
Joseph Légaré: the artist
Joseph Légaré: A Life of Artistry and Politics in Lower Canada
Joseph Légaré (1795-1855) was a pivotal Canadian artist and politician whose life embodies the intersection of creativity and public service. Born in Saint-Jacques, Canada East, Légaré left an indelible mark on the country’s cultural landscape.
Early Life and Artistic Pursuits
Légaré's early life was marked by a natural inclination towards artistic expression. Though details of his formative years remain somewhat obscure, it is evident he honed skills that would lead him to become one of the founding members of Willow Bunch, Saskatchewan. He wasn’t solely an artist; Légaré skillfully balanced multiple roles throughout his life – painter, glazier, seigneur, and political figure.
Entrepreneurial Ventures & Community Service
Demonstrating a strong entrepreneurial spirit, Légaré ventured into cattle and horse ranching in the Willow Bunch area. This showcased his adaptability and willingness to embrace diverse opportunities. Further solidifying his commitment to community, he served as postmaster in Willow Bunch from 1898 until his death in 1918.
Artistic Legacy & Notable Works
While a significant portion of Légaré’s artistic output remains undocumented, his influence on Canadian art is undeniable. He is particularly remembered for his historical paintings and religious scenes. Cholera Plague, Quebec stands as one of his most recognized works, capturing a poignant moment in the region's history.
Influences & Artistic Development
Information regarding specific artistic influences on Légaré is limited due to the scarcity of documented sources about his early training. However, it’s reasonable to assume he was influenced by the prevailing artistic styles of Lower Canada during the 19th century – a blend of European traditions adapted to the Canadian context.
Major Achievements & Historical Significance
- Founding member of Willow Bunch, Saskatchewan
- Successful entrepreneur in cattle and horse ranching.
- Long-serving postmaster for the community of Willow Bunch.
- Creator of significant historical paintings reflecting Canadian life.
Légaré’s life serves as a fascinating case study in the intersection of art and politics. He represents a generation of Canadians who actively participated in both cultural development and civic leadership. His legacy continues to inspire those interested in the rich history of Canadian art and its connection to the nation's social and political evolution.