Robert Harris (1849-1919) was an accomplished violinist and flutist who decided in the 1860s to focus his talents on fine arts. During his two year stay in Boston studying fine arts, Harris became influenced by American techniques with a focus on the Eakins school. Later, under the guidance of Lucius O’Brien, he became a founding member of the Canadian Academy of the Arts. His incredible skills at portraiture brought him into very high level contact with the British oligarchy’s Canadian handlers, and to this extent he is perhaps best known for his depiction of the “Fathers of Confederation” which burned with Canada’s parliament building in 1916.