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As an artist who rose to prominence during the early 1960s, Charles Pachter has had a significant impact on the visual arts landscape in Canada. Working in painting, book arts, sculpture, printmaking and drawing, his work has engaged symbols of Canadian culture often with a humorous perspective. He is most well-known for his representations of moose, the Canadian Flag and even hockey players, however Pachter first rose to prominence for his 1972 painting Noblesse Oblige which shows Queen Elizabeth II riding a moose, a work that sparked national debate on the monarchy and its depiction in Canada.

Among his many significant accomplishments include, an appointment as an Officer of the Order of Canada and Order of Ontario, a Chevalier of France’s Order of Arts and Letters. Pachter holds honorary doctorates from Brock University, OCAD University, the University of Toronto, and Lakehead University. He is also a recipient of the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee medals.

Pachter’s work can be found in the collections of the Art Gallery of Ontario, the McMichael Art Gallery, the Canadian embassy in Washington and the University of Alberta Museums Art Collection, which is home to approximately 76 works of art by the artist.