France is well-represented in the art of Brampton-born and raised artist Caroline Armington.

The daughter of a local farm implement businessperson, Caroline Wilkinson decided to visit London in 1900. Age 25, she had been working as a nurse back in Canada. During the trip, she decided to visit her longtime friend Frank Armington.

Originally from Toronto, Frank was studying at the Académie Julian in Paris, a famous private art school in that era. Caroline stayed with his family, who were living in Paris’ Montparnasse neighbourhood; months later, the couple were married. The newly renamed Caroline Armington followed Frank back to Canada, first to Sault Ste. Marie, then Winnipeg, where she began teaching art.

The couple returned to Paris in 1905, where Caroline began studying at the Académie Julian. She began to etch scenes of France, exhibiting internationally over the next few decades. French life and architecture were favoured subjects by the artist.

This 1918 etching — “The British Army and Navy leave club — Place de la Republique Paris France” — looks like it includes the Statue of Liberty. That’s not unthinkable, as New York City’s statue was a gift from France, and small replicas stand throughout France to this day.

It’s not “Lady Liberty” though. The French government wanted to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the French Revolution so they launched a competition in 1879; it was won by brothers Charles and Léopold Morice. They depicted Marianne, the French personification of “liberty.” She holds a tablet declaring the rights of the citizen, and a lion on the pillar guards a ballot box.

Caroline Armington’s work is in collections worldwide, including the British Museum and Musée du Louvre, but the largest repository of her work is at the Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives.

For more from the archives, visit www.pama.peelregion.ca.

Throwback Thursday is provided by Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives. PAMA is a place to explore, learn and make connections about Peel Region’s culture and heritage.