March 29, 2019 Mont-Saint-Hilaire (Quebec) Parks Canada Agency
A prolific artist during the late 19th century, the painter Ozias Leduc influenced 20th century art in Quebec and Canada through his profoundly original work. His style, which emphasized drawing as well as colour and light, made him a visionary who pushed the boundaries of tradition in favour of modernity.
Today, Michel Picard, MP for Montarville, commemorated the national historic significance of Ozias Leduc. A commemorative plaque was unveiled during a ceremony at the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Mont-Saint-Hilaire. The announcement was made on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada Catherine McKenna.
Leduc showed an interest and talent for art, especially drawing, since childhood. Following his studies, he moved to Montreal where he spent his evenings drawing in the workshop of the Art Association of Montreal (now the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts). Leduc was introduced to the art of decorating church walls after working with Adolphe Rho, a painter and sculptor from Bécancour, and Luigi Capello, a painter and decorator from Montreal. Quickly recognized as a great painter of religious art, his works graced the walls of more than 30 churches and chapels in Quebec, Nova Scotia and the eastern United States.
His work in Notre Dame de la Présentation church in Shawinigan, painted between 1942 and 1955, was his last masterpiece. He greatly influenced painters in Quebec and Canada throughout the 20th century, particularly artists such as Paul‑Émile Borduas and Jean-Paul Riopelle.
The Government of Canada, through the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, recognizes significant people, places, and events that have shaped our country as one way of helping Canadians and youth connect with their past. The commemoration process is largely driven by public nominations. To date, more than 2 000 designations have been made.
