Framed Print: Bilking the Toll by Cornelius Krieghoff

Vintage Framed Art Print: "Bilking the Toll" by Cornelius Krieghoff (1861) Up for auction is a beautifully preserved, mid-century vintage framed art print reproduction of "Bilking the Toll" by the legendary Canadian artist Cornelius Krieghoff. This vibrant winter genre scene captures the rebellious, high-spirited essence of 19th-century rural Canadian life. The print features the distinctive lower-border lithograph inscription: “Bilking the Toll” a painting of OLD CANADA painted at Longueuil, Quebec, in 1861 by Cornelius Krieghoff. It also features Krieghoff's original signature reproduced in-plate on the bottom right. Perfect for collectors of vintage Canadiana, mid-century home decor, or historical Canadian art. Item Details & Condition • Artist: Cornelius Krieghoff (1815–1872) • Title: Bilking the Toll (also known as Running the Toll Gate) • Dimensions: 21.25" x 15.25" (Framed) • Frame: Vintage mid-century stained wood frame with protective glass front. • Condition: Very Good vintage condition. The lithograph text and colors remain exceptionally crisp and clear without severe sun-fading or UV damage. The paper matrix shows light, uniform, natural age-toning along the mat border, adding excellent vintage character. Frame is sturdy and ready to hang. Artist Biography: Cornelius Krieghoff Born in Amsterdam, Cornelius Krieghoff (1815–1872) became one of Canada’s most famous and enduring 19th-century painters. After moving to Quebec in the 1840s, Krieghoff became deeply fascinated by the daily lives of the French-Canadian habitants (settlers) and Indigenous peoples. Unlike the formal portrait artists of his time, Krieghoff chose to paint everyday life with a distinct sense of humor, warmth, and narrative drama. Best known for his striking, atmospheric winter landscapes and lively sleighing scenes, his work became a massive commercial success during his lifetime and remains a foundational cornerstone of historic Canadian art. Original canvases of this subject routinely command between $90,000 and $200,000+ at premier art auctions today. Historical Context: The Longueuil Toll Roads The scene depicted in this artwork is steeped in genuine early Canadian history. In the 1800s, Longueuil, Quebec, served as a primary transportation gateway across the St. Lawrence River to Montreal. During the freezing winter months, official "ice bridges"—roads meticulously cleared and packed down over the thick river ice using massive horse-drawn snow rollers (visible in the lower right of the print)—were established. To fund the dangerous maintenance of these winter roads, private operators and local municipalities set up toll gates. These high fees were deeply resented by the working-class habitants, who relied on the roads to bring wood, meat, and crops to the Montreal markets. "Bilking" (evading) the toll gate by whipping the horses and speeding past the gatekeeper in a fast-moving sleigh became a legendary act of local defiance and everyday rebellion. Krieghoff loved the rebellious energy of the act so much that he painted at least 26 distinct variations of this toll-evasion theme during his career. Nearest intersection Yonge Street and Stelees Avenue