The Codex canadensis, a priceless collection of 17th-century illustrations by Jesuit missionary Louis Nicolas, is currently inaccessible to the public. The manuscript is housed in an Oklahoma museum that has been closed for several years due to renovations, preventing those who wish to consult the work from doing so.
The ‘Mona Lisa’ of Canadian History
Described by history journalist Sylvain Lumbroso as the “Mona Lisa of Canada,” the document possesses inestimable historical and patrimonial value. The 79-page manuscript contains 180 brown ink drawings of the flora, fauna, and Indigenous peoples of the New World.
The work is particularly significant given that it contains the only known representations of certain 17th-century Indigenous figures. The collection also meticulously catalogs the natural world, featuring 67 species of mammals, 56 birds, 33 fish, and 18 plants.
A Three-Century Journey to Oklahoma
The manuscript changed hands many times over three and a half centuries before being acquired around 1949. It was purchased from a likely European seller by Thomas Gilcrease, an oil tycoon of Indigenous origin whose collection grew to include over 10,000 pieces.
Following a financial downturn in 1954 that brought Gilcrease close to bankruptcy, his artifacts were transferred to the City of Tulsa. They became part of the municipal museum’s permanent collection under a strict clause stating that the pieces must never leave the city.
Current Access and Future Outlook
While the original remains in Oklahoma, researchers can still study the work through facsimiles. These copies are held by national collections, including the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec and Library and Archives Canada.
Because the museum is closed for renovations, the original work may remain unavailable until the facility reopens. Given the legal restrictions tied to the collection, it is unlikely the manuscript will be relocated to Canadian institutions, though digital access or further facsimiles could be possible next steps for increasing visibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Codex canadensis?
It is a 79-page bound manuscript containing 180 brown ink drawings of plants, animals, and Indigenous peoples of the New World, created by the Jesuit missionary Louis Nicolas.
Why can’t the manuscript be moved to Canada?
The collection was transferred to the City of Tulsa in 1954 with a specific clause stating that the pieces must never leave the city.
How can researchers currently study the illustrations?
Researchers can work with facsimiles of the document held by the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec and Library and Archives Canada.
Do you believe historical documents should remain where they are legally held, or should they be returned to their place of origin?
