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Secondary sourcePainting1850

Supposed Portrait of Samuel de Champlain

Théophile Hamel · 1850

A 19th-century painting by Théophile Hamel claiming to show Champlain, though based on a misattributed image, reflecting how later generations imagined him.

This 19th-century painting claims to depict Champlain, though it is based on a misattributed source, not a real likeness.

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A red-walled formal living room with a pink sofa, a granite fireplace, and a gold-framed portrait of a man with a mustache and dark collar above the mantel. Antique furniture, a patterned rug, and table lamps are visible.
Théophile Hamel, Supposed Portrait of Samuel de Champlain, 1850. Citadelle of Quebec.

About this source

What it is

This 1850 painting by Théophile Hamel claims to be a portrait of Samuel de Champlain. It now hangs in a formal room at the Citadelle of Quebec, the residence of the Governor General.

Why it matters

No authentic portrait of Champlain made during his lifetime is known to survive, so this and similar images were created long after his death, based on a misattributed engraving. The painting reveals less about Champlain's actual appearance than about how 19th-century French Canadians wanted to remember and honour him as a founding hero.

Look closer

  • If no real portrait of Champlain exists, why do you think this image was created and displayed?
  • What does it mean for a historical figure's image to be invented rather than recorded?
  • How might this painting have shaped people's idea of what Champlain looked like, even though it is not accurate?

This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Samuel de Champlain on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Front cover of a dark red leather-bound book with a small gold-tooled emblem of a lion or griffin-like creature above the initials 'E' and 'T' in gold lettering, centered on the cover.Book

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Les Voyages du sieur de Champlain

Samuel de Champlain · 1613

Sepia-toned engraved map titled 'Carte geographique de la Nouvelle Franse' showing the Atlantic coast, rivers, lakes, and decorative borders with compass roses, sailing ships, sea creatures, Native American figures, and a coat of arms.Document

Primary source

Carte geographique de la Nouvelle Franse

Samuel de Champlain · 1612

Front cover of a dark brown leather-bound book with gold-tooled decorative corner ornaments and a thin gold border frame on each panel, with a patterned gold-tooled spine band across the middle. The cover is closed and shows no visible title.Book

Primary source

Des Sauvages, ou voyage de Samuel Champlain

Samuel de Champlain · 1603

Hand-drawn manuscript map on vellum showing a coastline with green-washed shorelines, pictorial hill relief, place names in handwriting, a compass rose, a decorative cartouche and a scale bar. Ink lines and wash on aged parchment.Document

Primary source

Descripsion des costs, pts., rades, Illes de la Nouuele France

Samuel de Champlain · 1607

First page of a handwritten French manuscript, Samuel de Champlain's testament, dated 1635. Cursive brown ink on aged yellowed paper with water stains, a stamp reading Archives Nationales, and a handwritten signature at the left margin. The text begins 'Au nom du Pere et du fils et du Saint Esprit'.Document

Primary source

Testament de Samuel Champlain

Samuel de Champlain · 17 November 1635

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