Portrait of John Henry Lefroy

The Portrait of John Henry Lefroy, painted by Paul Kane around 1845, exemplifies Romanticism with its dramatic portrayal of the British explorer during his successful expedition to map the Magnetic North Pole. Known as The Surveyor, Lefroy is depicted amidst the rugged Northwest landscape, capturing the adventurous spirit of exploration. This painting achieved remarkable value when it sold at auction in 2002 for C$5.1 million, making it the most expensive Canadian painting at the time. It was subsequently donated to the Art Gallery of Ontario by media magnate Ken Thomson.