Following the Impressionist movement, Robert Wakeham Pilot was obsessed with painting everyday scenes and the effects of light and weather. Like his fellow Impressionists, he preferred to sketch and paint en plein air. While he painted various views of Canada and Europe, Quebec was the most frequently recurring location throughout his career, and particularly Dufferin Terrace. In this image of The Terrace, Pilot represents an intimate scene of a popular recreational location, capturing the essence of the city he loved. His fellow artist Paul Duval commented on Pilot's works of Quebec saying "No one, not even his step-father, the Impressionist Maurice Cullen, evoked the character of Quebec City with more affection or persuasion." Another larger work by Pilot showing Dufferin Terrace, also bought through the Continental Galleries of Fine Art and from a similar angle was sold Bonhams, Toronto, 25 May 2009, lot 25 (£55,803, including premium).

John Norris and his wife Brenda (née Turner) had met Princess Margaret at a party hosted by Mrs Turner's step-father Frank Mackenzie Ross, who served as Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia on May 19 1959. Mrs Turner's brother John Turner eventually served as Prime Minister of Canada from June - September 1984.