Charlotte Mount B. Schreiber Paintings

Charlotte Mount Brock Schreiber, born Charlotte Morrell in 1834, was a British-Canadian artist who made significant contributions to the art world in both Europe and Canada. Initially starting her career in England, Schreiber's talents and interests spanned across painting, illustration, and later, activism within the arts community, particularly in advocating for the recognition and inclusion of women artists.

In her early years, Schreiber was primarily self-taught, a common scenario for women artists of her time, who faced significant barriers to formal art education. However, her passion and innate talent for art led her to pursue further studies. She eventually married Weymouth Schreiber in 1857, and the couple moved to Canada in the 1860s, a move that marked the beginning of Charlotte's significant influence on the Canadian art scene.

Schreiber's work is characterized by its attention to detail, vibrant color palette, and the ability to capture the essence of her subjects, which ranged from portraits to historical scenes. Notably, her painting 'The Croppy Boy' (1879), which depicts a young Irish rebel about to be executed, is celebrated for its emotional depth and technical prowess. This piece, among others, showcases Schreiber's skill in narrative storytelling through art, making her one of the foremost history painters of her time in Canada.

Aside from her artistic achievements, Schreiber played a pivotal role in the formation and development of art institutions in Canada. She was a founding member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts (RCA) and was notably the first woman elected to the Academy. Her efforts were instrumental in opening doors for future generations of women artists in the country.

Charlotte Mount B. Schreiber's legacy is one of perseverance, talent, and advocacy. Despite the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated field, her contributions to art and society have left an indelible mark. She passed away in 1922, but her work continues to inspire and be celebrated in galleries and collections across Canada and beyond.