The colour and freshness of Henderson’s illuminated addresses can be seen in the only original in the exhibition, a 1920 testimonial to Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Starr, commissioned by the members of the Qu’Appelle Methodist Church. While it is a minor example of this type of Henderson’s addresses, compared to those he did for visiting royalty, it is nevertheless carefully done, with text in italicized script with gold ink separating the paragraphs. The workmanship is exquisite and highly detailed, combining calligraphy with highly skilled drawing and painting done with a fluid hand and using bright clear colours in gouache. The text refers to the Starrs’ faithful service to the church and their good deeds while the images evoke their pioneer life. The text is framed by a sky blue border with a landscape and clouds and brightly coloured vignettes of prairie life, including a man holding an axe beside a yoked ox overlooking the Qu’Appelle Valley, a church enclosed in a circle and an angel above with hands folded in prayer as if to bless the scenes below, indicating the importance of religion for the settlers of the time.
-Dan Ring
Illustrated Manuscript for Mr. and Mrs. Starr, 1920
Ink, watercolour and gouache on paper
47.6 x 36.2 cm
Collection of the Fort Qu’Appelle Historical Society, SK.
