A travel day, from Riviere-du-Loup to Quebec (St. Nicholas, just outside of the City), with a stop in St. Jean-Port-Joli, the Woodcarving Capital of Quebec. Founded in 1679, St. Jean-Port-Joli boasts the Early Canadians Woodcarving Museum (Musee de sculpture sur bois des Anciens Canadiens). On display are more than 250 carvings by local artisans, including works by the Bourgault brothers.
The name Musee des Anciens Canadiens comes from the title of a book written by Philippe Aubert de Gaspe. He was the first French Canadian writer, and the last lord of Saint-Jean-Port-Joli. Nine years after the abolition of the seigneurial system in 1854, at the age of 77, Philippe Aubert de Gaspe took refuge in his manor to write his books Les Anciens Canadiens (1863), and his Memoires (1866). He died in 1871 at the age of 85 and was interred under the church of Saint-Jean-Port-Joli where, as they say, "he has been resting ever since."
The Manor and its outbuildings were sold to the Leclerc family. In 1964, Maurice Leclerc decided to found, in what was then the baker's oven, the first Musee des Anciens Canadiens. In 1975, his son, Maurice Leclerc (he just died on June 12), with the help of his wife (who now runs the Museum), began collecting local works for display in the Museum and opened a woodcarving school.
The tradition of woodcarving, in Saint-Jean-Port-Joli, has been in existence for more than 70 years based on the work of the Bourgault brothers, Medard, Andre and Jean-Julien. It is interesting that the Bourgault brothers are descendants of a famous French family of sculptors, the Legros. Francois Legros (1629-1714) participated in the decorating of the Palace of Versailles. His brother, Pierre Legros, lived mostly in Rome where he carved ornaments for the Gesu Church. In Canada, two other ancestors, Chrysostome Perrault and Amable Charron, are known for their sculptures which include the sanctuary at the Church of Saint-Jean-Port-Joli, which dates back to 1779.
An example of a wood caring "in the round" style. There are three styles of carvings.
This pulley and chain was carved from one block of wood. Each of these links are independent and flexible.
Eugene Leclerc (his wife tied all the lines).
These Norman Rockwell wood reproductions are examples of the second type - a design carved on a flat piece of wood.
Another detailed Norman Rockwell wood reproduction.
A moose!
St. Francis d'Assise by Jocelyn Bouchard.
Harry Potter by David Deschenes (b. 1974 in Port Joli).
Birth of Christ by Jean Leclerc. 8 feet high by 15 feet wide. 37 days between the first and the last cut of the chisel
This was my favorite contemporary piece.
This being Canada, a life size carving of Jean Beliveau.
A wood carver, Louis Lavois, at work in the on-site studio.
We also visited the church of St-Jean Baptiste which dates from 1779.
It is unusual to find a church this old. Most older churches were built with wood and most have burned.
Beautiful interior.
St. Francis at the back of the church.
Hand carved pews.
By the Baptismal font; John the Baptist, John the Evangelist, and St. Augustine.
The lectern with the four gospel writers.
More hydrangeas.
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