The Flood is an original work created in acrylic on canvas in 1998 by Quebec artist Pauline Larouche . Part of the Characters series, this 8 x 10-inch painting emerged from an intuitive process where simple patches of color gradually revealed these figures wearing large hats. This method of painting, guided by the imagination, gives free rein to emotion.

This artwork evokes one of the most significant events in the history of the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region: the flood of July 1996. Without directly depicting the disaster, it conveys its human impact. Downcast eyes, silent faces, and contrasting colors tell the story of the shock, anxiety, and uncertainty felt during those days when an entire region held its breath.

Everyone who lived through those times remembers where they were when the news broke. The flood echoes this collective memory while allowing each viewer to project their own story onto it. The free forms, spontaneous brushstrokes, and rich textures give the work a presence that is both expressive and profoundly human.

This painting will appeal to lovers of contemporary figurative art, works steeped in history, and original Quebec creations. It also stands as a valuable artistic testament to the resilience of a community that has risen again after adversity.