The Peter Winkworth Collection has an impressive array of watercolours and drawings, dating from circa 1760 to circa 1905. Most, however, fall within the British colonial period of Canadian history, from 1760 to 1867. During the French regime, maps, charts and plans were produced, but no substantive views of the countryside or the settlements were made. It was the British military officers posted to Canada who first portrayed the landscape in pictures. Most were trained in topographical drawing aimed at producing accurate visual records of the physical characteristics of the land. The Peter Winkworth Collection includes landscapes and city views by many of these soldier-artists, and the work of several amateur and professional artists who painted in Canada during the early 19th century.

This selection of views features watercolours and drawings with a small sampling of the more unusual and rare prints. Most areas of the country are represented, but there is certainly a predominance of Quebec views in the collection. Since Quebec was Mr. Winkworth's home province, he knows its landscape and history well.