Updated November 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 Saint Jérôme entendant la trompette du Jugement dernier (La Vision de saint Jérôme) (1825) complete the trio every eye recognises. Of the 35 works by Joseph Légaré in our catalog, the gallery presents the 7 most famous below, each original with its year, its museum and what makes it unique.
The oil on canvas titled Conversion of Saint Paul represents a significant moment in the career of Joseph Légaré. Created about 1822, the work captures a profound spiritual transformation through the medium of oil. The pigments settle into the weave of the fabric, anchoring a scene of divine encounter within the physical weight of the canvas.
Le Massacre des Hurons par les Iroquois is a historical painting by the artist Joseph Légaré. The work was created between 1827 and 1828. It depicts a violent conflict between Indigenous groups. The scene captures a chaotic battle or massacre occurring within a dense forest.
The air in the composition feels heavy with the weight of the divine. A muscular, semi-nude Saint Jerome recoils from the sky, his torso draped in a deep red cloth that anchors him to the rocky earth. He looks upward, eyes fixed on a celestial rupture where light breaks through swirling, luminous clouds. From this heavenly opening, an angelic figure descends, blowing a long trumpet to signal the Last Judgment.…
La Vision de saint Roch is an oil painting by Joseph Légaré. The artist, born in 1795 in Quebec City, Canada, captured this religious scene about 1825. His hand moved across the canvas to translate a moment of spiritual revelation into a permanent image of light and shadow.
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.
L'Incendie du quartier Saint-Jean à Québec, vu vers l'ouest is a painting by Joseph Légaré. Created about 1845, this work captures a specific historical catastrophe within the urban landscape. The subject matter focuses on a large-scale urban fire that has overtaken a district.
Paysage au monument à Wolfe is a work by Joseph Légaré, executed about 1845. Born in Quebec City in 1795, Légaré holds a significant position in the history of Canadian art as the first landscape artist of French-Canadian origin. His practice emerged during a period of significant cultural development in Lower Canada, contributing to a growing body of regional landscape painting.
The four subjects that come back most often in these originals, each with its finest example.
The 2 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Joseph Légaré | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 Musée Des Beaux |
Québec City | 5 | Le Massacre des Hurons par les Iroquois, Saint Jérôme entendant la trompette du Jugement dernier (La Vision de saint Jérôme), La Vision de saint Roch |
 National Gallery of Canada |
Ottawa | 1 | Cholera Plague, Quebec |
Pick a decade to see the original that defines it.
The oil on canvas titled Conversion of Saint Paul represents a significant moment in the career of Joseph Légaré. Created about 1822, the work captures a profound spiritual transformation through the medium of oil. The pigments settle into the weave of the fabric, anchoring a scene of divine encounter within the physical weight of the canvas.
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.
L'Incendie du quartier Saint-Jean à Québec, vu vers l'ouest is a painting by Joseph Légaré. Created about 1845, this work captures a specific historical catastrophe within the urban landscape. The subject matter focuses on a large-scale urban fire that has overtaken a district.
Conversion of Saint Paul (1822). Le Massacre des Hurons par les Iroquois (1827) and Saint Jérôme entendant la trompette du Jugement dernier (La Vision de saint Jérôme) (1825) come next.
27 years old: Conversion of Saint Paul dates from 1822, and Joseph Légaré was born in 1795.
Our catalog holds 35 works by Joseph Légaré, dated from 1822 to 1845.
Mostly in Musée Des Beaux (Québec City) and National Gallery of Canada (Ottawa). The museum table above lists them all.
In 1820s: 4 of the 7 works on this page were made then, Conversion of Saint Paul among them.
On this page, the earliest is Conversion of Saint Paul (1822) and the latest L'Incendie du quartier Saint-Jean à Québec, vu vers l'ouest (1845).
Man (3), Clouds (3) and Sky (2), across the 7 works on this page.
Oil On Canvas, for 5 of the 7 works on this page.
Le Massacre des Hurons par les Iroquois, Saint Jérôme entendant la trompette du Jugement dernier (La Vision de saint Jérôme) and La Vision de saint Roch: the Musée Des Beaux, Québec City holds 5 of the works on this page.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
