William Raphael


William Raphael , born Israel Rafalsky, was a Prussian-born Canadian artist, best known for his paintings of the Montreal harbour and market life.

Biography

Born in Nakel, West Prussia, of Orthodox Jewish background, he studied at the Berlin School of Fine Art under and Karl Begas. In 1856, he emigrated to New York City and then went to Montreal in 1860, where he remained for the rest of his life, teaching at the High School of Montreal and other schools and colleges.
Nine years after he moved to Montreal, Raphael painted "Immigrants at Montreal", later titled "Behind Bonsecours Market" purchased by the National Gallery of Canada in 1957. He was a founding member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts.

Gallery