Sculptures by Henri Lajeunesse
Henri Lajeunesse (1906–1998), from Joliette (Lanaudière), was already 70 years old when he began to sculpt. Nettie Covey Sharpe met him and said to him, “You know, Mr. Lajeunesse, one day your works will be in a museum.” According to his daughter Claudette, that was all it took for his passion to become a near-obsession, to the dismay of his wife, because it ended their afternoon games of checkers — he no longer had time.
Left to right:
Louis Cyr
Henri Lajeunesse (1906–1998)
Joliette, Lanaudière
1972
Painted wood
Nettie Covey Sharpe Collection
CMCC 81-317
In his time, and to this day, Louis Cyr (1863–1912) has been Quebec’s most popular hero. His reputation and his exploits as the strongest man in the world have withstood the test of time.
Wilfrid Laurier
Henri Lajeunesse (1906–1998)
Joliette, Lanaudière
1981
Painted wood
Nettie Covey Sharpe Collection
CMCC 85-159
Wilfrid Laurier (1841–1919) was the first francophone to become prime minister of Canada, from 1896 to 1911. He was a great defender of the rights of francophones.
René Lévesque
Late 1970s
Painted wood
Nettie Covey Sharpe Collection
CMCC 80-155
Politician and journalist René Lévesque (1922–1987) founded the Parti Québécois in 1968 and was premier of Quebec from 1976 to 1985. A strong nationalist and supporter of Quebec independence, he oversaw the nationalization of hydro-electric power in the province and the instigation of the French language charter, Bill 101.
Les Yvettes — Lise Payette
Henri Lajeunesse (1906–1998)
Joliette, Lanaudière
1981
Painted wood
Nettie Covey Sharpe Collection
CMCC 85-160
Lise Payette (born in 1931) was an important figure in Quebec radio and television. Entering political life at the side of René Lévesque, she reproached women for staying at home, rather than getting out and getting involved. She characterized the wife of Quebec Liberal leader and staunch federalist Claude Ryan (1925–2004) as a docile “Yvette”. This controversial comment helped to lose René Lévesque many votes during the 1980 referendum on Quebec separation.
Marie-Louise Deruaz
CMCC IMG2008-0080-0137-Dm
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