George-Étienne Cartier Monument, Bronze monument in Mount Royal Park, Montreal, Canada
The George-Étienne Cartier Monument is a bronze sculpture in Mount Royal Park featuring eighteen bronze figures arranged around a pyramidal column. Four lions guard both the front and rear of the composition, creating a balanced and impressive arrangement.
Completed in 1919, the monument honors Sir George-Étienne Cartier, a key figure in Canadian Confederation who served as co-premier from 1858 to 1862. His work was essential in uniting multiple British colonies into a single nation.
The central figure displays Cartier holding a document inscribed with "Avant tout, soyons Canadiens," which reflects the early vision of Canadian national identity. This motto captures his commitment to unifying the nation.
The monument sits in a central location within Mount Royal Park and is easily accessible on foot. The site is open to the public with benches and green spaces where visitors can read the information and enjoy the surroundings.
The sculpture includes allegorical figures representing the four original confederating provinces, topped with a winged Goddess of Liberty. These artistic elements make it a symbol honoring not just a single person but the founding of an entire nation.
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