A painting that has been a part of the permanent collection of the Provincial Archives of Saskatchewan is now on its way to Ireland. The painting, a portrait of Mary Palliser, is on a long-term loan to the Waterford Art Gallery, in Waterford, Ireland. There, it will be part of a major in-house exhibition. 

Mary Palliser was the sister of John Palliser and was painted by Irish watercolour artist Sir Frederic William Burton in 1871. The portrait had been donated to the Saskatchewan Provincial Archives in 1994 by a descendant of a friend of the Palliser family. 

“The Government of Saskatchewan is happy to share the Palliser painting with the Irish public and strengthen our shared connections around the world during a time when physical travel is a challenge,” Minister Responsible for the Provincial Archives of Saskatchewan Jim Reiter said in a written release.  “The people of Waterford, Ireland will enjoy viewing the painting and Saskatchewan’s contribution to archival history.” 

John Palliser was born in Ireland and led the British North American Exploring Expedition. He would map the boundary between what is now Canada and the United States from Lake Superior, all the way to the Pacific Ocean. His efforts are credited with opening the Canadian West to settlement and development.