In 1855, before leaving his native Prussia for Montreal—where he became Canada’s first Jewish professional artist—William Raphael anglicized his name from Israel Rafalsky. For an unknown painter to assume the moniker of a famed Renaissance genius was a startling act of chutzpah—one that foreshadowed his noteworthy career as an artist whose work would end up in museums across Canada. Still, it would take over a century, and a vigorous bidding war over his painting Bonsecours Market, Montreal, 1880, for Raphael to earn international attention. This event will share the remarkable story of a man who had the tremendous confidence to voyage to a new country, and who created an enduring body of work about its people, origins, and identity.

Featuring

Pierre-Olivier Ouellet

Author of William Raphael: Life & Work

Sara Angel

Founder and Executive Director of the Art Canada Institute

Clarence Epstein

Author of Montreal, City of Spires

season Sponsor 2025-2026 publications

PRESENTING Sponsor

Jonathan Wener, CM

TITLE SPONSORS

Alan and Patricia Koval Foundation

The Schulich Foundation

The Jack Weinbaum Family Foundation

GOLD SPONSOR

The Morris & Rosalind Goodman Family Foundation

silver sponsors

The Azrieli Foundation

The Delaney Family Foundation

The DH Gales Family Charitable Foundation

The Spatz Foundation

CONTRIBUTORS

Peter and Neri Slan

Tamara Fine and Darren Sukonick

The Weisz Family