​​​​​In 1882, Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll and the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria, first visited Victoria on official business with her husband, the Marquess of Lorne, who was serving as Canada's Governor General at the time. When she returned a few months later without the Marquess, she was searching for inspiration. The most rebellious of Queen Victoria's children and the first member of the Royal Family to visit British Columbia, Princess Louise broke with tradition and became an accomplished painter, sculptor, and cook. Allegedly, Louise was seen all over Victoria, oftentimes painting landscapes of the nearby Olympic Mountains.​​​​​
Sadly, Princess Louise's time in Canada came to an end when a sleigh accident left her with a lasting head injury. Louise was also known for her advocacy of women's rights, which often put her at odds with her more traditional mother. Both Princess Louise and the Marquess of Lorne contributed to the establishment of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts and the National Gallery of Canada and the couple are widely remembered to this day for their appreciation and support towards Canada's early art scene.
