E.J. Hughes Collection
User Collection Public
Edward John (E. J.) Hughes was a Canadian painter best known for his paintings of British Columbia landscapes. Hughes was born 17 February 1913 in North Vancouver, and grew up in Nanaimo. After high school he attended the Vancouver School of Decorative and Applied Arts (now Emily Carr University) where he studied with Frederick Varley, graduating in 1933. When war broke out in 1939 Hughes enlisted with the Royal Canadian Artillery. While posted in England he was made an official war artist, and from 1943 to 1946 depicted war scenes in England and Alaska.
Following the War Hughes and his wife, Fern Rosabell Irvine (1916-1974), moved to Victoria. Due to financial struggles, the couple moved shortly thereafter to a cabin at Shawnigan Lake. Max Stern (1904-1984), Emily Carr's former dealer and the owner of the Dominion Gallery in Montreal, discovered Hughes's work and made a deal to buy all of his paintings. Their relationship lasted until Stern's death, and Dominion continued to buy Hughes's paintings until his death. Ed and Fern had three children - Edward, Elizabeth and Mac - all of whom died in infancy. Hughes died 5 January 2007 at age 93.
Permalink: http://vault.library.uvic.ca/collections/99c0f746-4e95-436a-90d7-e939b42c2edf
Collection Details
- Items 113
- Last Updated 2025-08-26
Works (113)
51. Preliminary sketches 04
- Title:
- Preliminary sketches 04
- Description:
- Eight panels of graphite drawings by E. J. Hughes showing landscapes, coastal areas, ships, and docks etc. A couple of the of the panels have grids over them and there are numerous equations surrounding the panels.
- Subject:
- Ships in art, Landscape painting--Technique, Painters, Art, Landscape painting, Landscape painters, Docks, Ships, Coasts, Landscapes in art, Landscape painting, Canadian, Creation (Literary, artistic, etc.), Landscapes, Drawing, Artists, and Artists' preparatory studies
- Creator:
- Hughes, E. J. (Edward John), 1913-2007
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 193X/195X
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- Copyright held by the E. J. Hughes Estate. Use of this material is permitted for research and private study purposes only to the UVic researcher community. For all other uses, contact University of Victoria Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage
- Extent:
- 1 sheet ; 30 x 46 cm
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- E.J. Hughes Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- sketches, grids (layout features), drawings (visual works), preliminary sketches (sketches), and pencil drawings
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2020-043 - Sketches, 1946-1947, 1965; Item: 75
- Fonds Title:
- E. J. Hughes collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC606
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/e-j-hughes-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2023-09/2023-10
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Betterligt/TTI (600 DPI; 1/20; 263; Copy4Stops; camera height 1000) by PD. Metadata by KD.
52. Prep drawing for Howe Sound
- Title:
- Prep drawing for Howe Sound
- Description:
- A graphite drawing by E. J. Hughes titled "Prep Drawing for Howe Sound" showing the tree lined entrance to Howe Sound. The image has a grid on top of it and has some equations around it.
- Subject:
- Landscapes, Art, Drawing, Landscape painters, Painters, Landscapes in art, Trees in art, Creation (Literary, artistic, etc.), Landscape painting, Artists, Landscape painting, Canadian, Trees, Landscape painting--Technique, and Artists' preparatory studies
- Creator:
- Hughes, E. J. (Edward John), 1913-2007
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 193X
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- Copyright held by the E. J. Hughes Estate. Use of this material is permitted for research and private study purposes only to the UVic researcher community. For all other uses, contact University of Victoria Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage
- Extent:
- 1 sheet ; 28 x 38 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia--Howe Sound Region and Pacific Ocean--Howe Sound
- Coordinates:
- 49.42281, -123.39307
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Graphite on paper. Quarter of sheet cut out.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- E.J. Hughes Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- preliminary sketches (sketches), drawings (visual works), pencil drawings, and sketches
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2020-043 - Sketches, 1946-1947, 1965; Item: 07
- Fonds Title:
- E. J. Hughes collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC606
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/e-j-hughes-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2023-09/2023-10
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Betterligt/TTI (600 DPI; 1/20; 263; Copy4Stops; camera height 1000) by PD. Metadata by KD.
53. Ship sketch
- Title:
- Ship sketch
- Description:
- An ink drawing on the paper flap of an envelope showing the bow of a ship with a large cross by E. J. Hughes.
- Subject:
- Drawing, Landscape painting--Technique, Landscape painting, Canadian, Landscape painters, Creation (Literary, artistic, etc.), Ships in art, Painters, Artists' preparatory studies, Art, Artists, Ships, and Landscape painting
- Creator:
- Hughes, E. J. (Edward John), 1913-2007
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 193X/195X
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- Copyright held by the E. J. Hughes Estate. Use of this material is permitted for research and private study purposes only to the UVic researcher community. For all other uses, contact University of Victoria Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage
- Extent:
- 1 sheet ; 9.5 x 15.5 cm
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Flap of an envelope. Drawing in blue ink.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- E.J. Hughes Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- sketches, pen and ink drawings, drawings (visual works), and envelopes
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2020-043 - Sketches, 1946-1947, 1965; Item: 81
- Fonds Title:
- E. J. Hughes collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC606
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/e-j-hughes-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2023-09/2023-10
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Betterligt/TTI (600 DPI; 1/20; 263; Copy4Stops; camera height 1000) by PD. Metadata by KD.
54. Ships and dock sketch
- Title:
- Ships and dock sketch
- Description:
- A graphite drawing by E. J. Hughes titled "Ships and Dock Sketch" showing several scenes of ships, boats, and people from different views/angles. One sketch has a grid on top of it and there are a few equations noted.
- Subject:
- Landscape painting, Canadian, Ships, Art, Landscape painters, Landscape painting--Technique, Drawing, Painters, Artists, Docks, Landscape painting, Creation (Literary, artistic, etc.), Ships in art, and Artists' preparatory studies
- Creator:
- Hughes, E. J. (Edward John), 1913-2007
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 193X/195X
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- Copyright held by the E. J. Hughes Estate. Use of this material is permitted for research and private study purposes only to the UVic researcher community. For all other uses, contact University of Victoria Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage
- Extent:
- 1 sheet ; 22 x 30 cm
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- E.J. Hughes Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- drawings (visual works), grids (layout features), sketches, and pencil drawings
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2020-043 - Sketches, 1946-1947, 1965; Item: 18
- Fonds Title:
- E. J. Hughes collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC606
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/e-j-hughes-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2023-09/2023-10
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Betterligt/TTI (600 DPI; 1/20; 263; Copy4Stops; camera height 1000) by PD. Metadata by KD.
55. Sitting female figure studies
- Title:
- Sitting female figure studies
- Description:
- A graphite drawing by E. J. Hughes titled on the back of another sketch titled "Church, North Vancouver". This sketch has a couple partial figures sitting on chairs along with one female figure sitting on the ground.
- Subject:
- Landscape painting--Technique, Drawing, Creation (Literary, artistic, etc.), Painters, Art, Figure drawing, Artists' preparatory studies, Human figure in art, Landscape painting, Canadian, Landscape painting, Landscape painters, Artists, and Women in art
- Creator:
- Hughes, E. J. (Edward John), 1913-2007
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 193X/195X
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- Copyright held by the E. J. Hughes Estate. Use of this material is permitted for research and private study purposes only to the UVic researcher community. For all other uses, contact University of Victoria Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage
- Extent:
- 1 sheet ; 41 x 30 cm
- Alternative Title:
- Church, North Vancouver (Reverse)
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Graphite on paper. Item 02 on recto/opposite side.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- E.J. Hughes Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- figures (representations), drawings (visual works), sketches, and pencil drawings
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2020-043 - Sketches, 1946-1947, 1965; Item: 03
- Fonds Title:
- E. J. Hughes collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC606
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/e-j-hughes-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2023-09/2023-10
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Betterligt/TTI (600 DPI; 1/20; 263; Copy4Stops; camera height 1000) by PD. Metadata by KD.
56. Sketches on an envelope
- Title:
- Sketches on an envelope
- Description:
- Pencil and ink sketches on the back an envelope from the British Importers in Victoria, B.C. showing two small panels with some notes about colour and where to put a cloud along with some equations.
- Subject:
- Creation (Literary, artistic, etc.), Landscape painting, Artists' preparatory studies, Painters, Landscape painting, Canadian, Art, Landscape painters, Drawing, Landscape painting--Technique, and Artists
- Creator:
- Hughes, E. J. (Edward John), 1913-2007
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 193X/195X
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- Copyright held by the E. J. Hughes Estate. Use of this material is permitted for research and private study purposes only to the UVic researcher community. For all other uses, contact University of Victoria Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage
- Extent:
- 1 sheet ; 14.5 x 22 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia--Victoria
- Coordinates:
- 48.426305, -123.365861
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Graphite and ink on paper. Envelope is from the "British Importers, 641 Yates Street, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada"
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- E.J. Hughes Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- pencil drawings, pen and ink drawings, sketches, drawings (visual works), and envelopes
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2020-043 - Sketches, 1946-1947, 1965; Item: 83
- Fonds Title:
- E. J. Hughes collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC606
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/e-j-hughes-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2023-09/2023-10
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Betterligt/TTI (600 DPI; 1/20; 263; Copy4Stops; camera height 1000) by PD. Metadata by KD.
57. South end of Queen Charlotte Strait looking North
- Title:
- South end of Queen Charlotte Strait looking North
- Description:
- A graphite drawing by E. J. Hughes titled "South End of Queen Charlotte Strait Looking North" showing boats along a tree covered shoreline, with a salvage vessel lifting a liner off rocks in the foreground. There are notes for colours to use and a note "salvaging a liner".
- Subject:
- Art, Creation (Literary, artistic, etc.), Painters, Ships in art, Shorelines, Landscapes, Artists' preparatory studies, Salvage vessels, Landscape painters, Landscape painting--Technique, Landscapes in art, Artists, Ships, Landscape painting, Canadian, Landscape painting, and Drawing
- Creator:
- Hughes, E. J. (Edward John), 1913-2007
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 193X/195X
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- Copyright held by the E. J. Hughes Estate. Use of this material is permitted for research and private study purposes only to the UVic researcher community. For all other uses, contact University of Victoria Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage
- Extent:
- 1 sheet ; 22.5 x 30 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- Pacific Ocean--Queen Charlotte Strait
- Coordinates:
- 50.74963, -127.25314
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- E.J. Hughes Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- drawings (visual works), pencil drawings, and sketches
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2020-043 - Sketches, 1946-1947, 1965; Item: 08
- Fonds Title:
- E. J. Hughes collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC606
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/e-j-hughes-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2023-09/2023-10
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Betterligt/TTI (600 DPI; 1/20; 263; Copy4Stops; camera height 1000) by PD. Metadata by KD.
58. The "A" Frame
- Title:
- The "A" Frame
- Description:
- A graphite drawing by E.J. Hughes showing a logging A-Frame used to vertically hoist logs. The A-Frame is mounted on a Davis raft of boomed logs surrounded by floating logs and tree covered hills in the background. A note indicates this was drawn near Beattie Anchorage on Louise Island on Cumshewa Inlet, B.C. There are some notes about colours and what things are and the drawing is signed by Hughes and dated Aug 1953.
- Subject:
- Rafts, Landscape painting, Log transportation--Equipment and supplies, Creation (Literary, artistic, etc.), Landscape painting, Canadian, Logging--Equipment and supplies, Landscape painters, Landscape painting--Technique, Painters, Logging, Artists' preparatory studies, Drawing, Art, and Artists
- Creator:
- Hughes, E. J. (Edward John), 1913-2007
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 193X/195X
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- Copyright held by the E. J. Hughes Estate. Use of this material is permitted for research and private study purposes only to the UVic researcher community. For all other uses, contact University of Victoria Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage
- Extent:
- 1 sheet ; 22 x 30 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia--Louise Island and Pacific Ocean--Beattie Anchorage
- Coordinates:
- 53.02965, -131.90186
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Graphite on paper. Signed by E.J. Hughes.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- E.J. Hughes Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- pencil drawings, drawings (visual works), signatures (names), and sketches
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2020-043 - Sketches, 1946-1947, 1965; Item: 86
- Fonds Title:
- E. J. Hughes collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC606
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/e-j-hughes-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2023-09/2023-10
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Betterligt/TTI (600 DPI; 1/20; 263; Copy4Stops; camera height 1000) by PD. Metadata by KD.
59. Top of small pine in other sketch
- Title:
- Top of small pine in other sketch
- Description:
- A graphite drawing by E. J. Hughes titled "Top of Small Pine" showing the top of a pine tree covered in snow.
- Subject:
- Landscape painting, Pine tree in art, Art, Artists' preparatory studies, Landscape painters, Artists, Landscape painting--Technique, Snow, Landscape painting, Canadian, Creation (Literary, artistic, etc.), Drawing, and Painters
- Creator:
- Hughes, E. J. (Edward John), 1913-2007
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 193X/195X
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- Copyright held by the E. J. Hughes Estate. Use of this material is permitted for research and private study purposes only to the UVic researcher community. For all other uses, contact University of Victoria Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage
- Extent:
- 1 sheet ; 18 x 12 cm
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- E.J. Hughes Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- pencil drawings, sketches, and drawings (visual works)
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2020-043 - Sketches, 1946-1947, 1965; Item: 59
- Fonds Title:
- E. J. Hughes collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC606
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/e-j-hughes-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2023-09/2023-10
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Betterligt/TTI (600 DPI; 1/20; 263; Copy4Stops; camera height 1000) by PD. Metadata by KD.
60. Tower
- Title:
- Tower
- Description:
- A graphite drawing by E. J. Hughes showing a city street in the night with a glowing street light, moon in the sky, power lines and a tower.
- Subject:
- Artists, Art, Landscape painting, Canadian, Landscape painting--Technique, Artists' preparatory studies, Landscape painters, Painters, Landscape painting, Drawing, Towers, Cities and towns, and Creation (Literary, artistic, etc.)
- Creator:
- Hughes, E. J. (Edward John), 1913-2007
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 193X/195X
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- Copyright held by the E. J. Hughes Estate. Use of this material is permitted for research and private study purposes only to the UVic researcher community. For all other uses, contact University of Victoria Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage
- Extent:
- 1 sheet ; 11 x 12 cm
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- E.J. Hughes Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- pencil drawings, sketches, and drawings (visual works)
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2020-043 - Sketches, 1946-1947, 1965; Item: 87
- Fonds Title:
- E. J. Hughes collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC606
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/e-j-hughes-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2023-09/2023-10
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Betterligt/TTI (600 DPI; 1/20; 263; Copy4Stops; camera height 1000) by PD. Metadata by KD.