The Government of Canada recognizes the national historic significance of Quebec painter Ozias Leduc

News release

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.

The Government of Canada celebrates families by providing free admission to Parks Canada sites for youth 17 and under, and free admission for one year for new Canadian citizens. We invite Canadians to learn more about our history – from lighthouses to battlefields, historic neighbourhoods to Indigenous contributions to Canada, there is an amazing array of places and stories to discover.

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Quotes

“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I am pleased to commemorate the national historic significance of Ozias Leduc. His works are among the most significant in Canadian art history. Historic designations reflect Canada’s rich and varied history and I encourage all Canadians to learn more about Ozias Leduc and his important contributions to Canada’s heritage.”

Michel Picard,
MP for Montarville

Quick facts

  • Ozias Leduc was primarily influenced by symbolism, an artistic movement that seeks to express the spiritual aspect of people and objects by giving them allegorical meanings.

  • During his career, Leduc painted still lifes, landscapes, portraits, genre scenes and religious works used to decorate numerous churches.

  • After travelling extensively and living outside of Canada for a time, Leduc moved back to his home town of Mont-Saint-Hilaire and lived there until his death.

  • The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2019.

  • Created in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advises the Minister of Environment and Climate Change on the commemoration of places, people and events of national historic significance that have shaped Canada’s history.

  • To date, based on recommendations from the HSMBC, the Government of Canada has designated more than 2 150 national historic sites, events, and people. Each of these designations contributes its own unique narrative to Canada’s broader history and helps us better understand our country and our identity.

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Contacts

Media Relations
Parks Canada Agency
855-862-1812
pc.medias-media.pc@canada.ca


Isabel Larivière
Advisor, Historical Designations
2, rue de Richelieu 
Chambly (Quebec)
514-668-1733
Isabel.Lariviere@canada.ca

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