Charles Robin at Arichat
X.114.05
In 1765 Charles Robin and his brothers helped found a company that transported fish caught in Cape Breton to the West Indies, South America, Britain and Spain. He was instrumental in developing shipbuilding and fishing industries in Cape Breton. He also played a role in securing the French population at Isle Madame. From 1788 to 1792 Robin worked as a judge in the Province of Quebec and in 1802 he retired to Jersey, where he died in 1824. The central image of Charles Robin is based on a portrait that is attributed to the English portrait painter Thomas Lawrence, circa 1815, when Robin would have been in his 60s. The figure of Robin is translucent, which may have been the artist’s way of symbolizing Robin’s spirit being present throughout the development of some of Cape Breton’s historically significant industries.
After the British seizure of Louisbourg all but a few Acadians, who had escaped to the backwoods, were expelled from Cape Breton. Charles and his brother Phillip were Jerseymen from the English Channel Islands. The Jerseymen were British Protestants who spoke French, which meant that they occupied a unique position within the politics of the time. The British trusted the Robins and because they also could speak French, they became viable employers for the Acadians who remained in Cape Breton. Jerseyman’s Island, pictured at the top of the mural, is located off the coast of Isle Madame and is named after the brothers. The dock scene on the right depicts the Robin Company’s prolific trading activities and the scene on the left illustrates their involvement in shipbuilding.