Ozias Leduc, an artist between Heaven and Earth

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Life's moments

From left to right: Emilie Brouillette with a daughter and her son Ozias • Ozias Leduc at 22 (detail) • Ozias Leduc

Youth and apprenticeship

Leather booklet made up, on the right side, of a small frame with a photo and, on the left side, a description by Ozias Leduc which reads: My mother Émilie Brouillette, a deceased little sister and myself, Ozias Leduc. The two children are sitting on their mother's lap.

🔍 Emilie Brouillette with a daughter and her son Ozias

The artist's calling

During his childhood, Ozias Leduc is marked by Saint-Hilaire and its mountain. The second of ten children and son of a carpenter and apple grower, he is surrounded by orchards. Very early on he develops an interest for nature that would guide him through his entire life.

Leduc attends the Rang des Trente school until sixth grade. His notebooks are filled with drawings copied from illustrated history books. Later, he confided to his assistant, Gabrielle Messier:

The transition from childhood to art was imperceptible! At first, when I felt my personality awakening, it seemed to me that I had a fondness for things that were rare or beautiful. Was this not an early sign that this natural inclination would later forcefully attract me towards art, towards its radiance? - Ozias Leduc

In 1880, he studies at Saint-Hilaire's model school for three years, where he meets his teacher, Jean-Baptiste-Nectaire Galipeau, who encourages him to develop his artistic talents and pursue his passion.

In 1883, at the age of nineteen, Leduc is hired as a colorist-painter of statues in Tomasso Carli's studio in Montreal. He devotes this period of his life to the development of skills and to the recognition of his status as an artist.

While in Montreal in 1886, he lives with his cousin Marie-Louise Lebrun, whose husband is Luigi Capello, an artist-decorator of Italian origin. Leduc becomes Capello's apprentice, who introduces him to European traditions of church decoration, wall painting and the technique of marouflage. In 1889, he meets the sculptor and painter Adolphe Rho, who hires him as his assistant.

In the mid-1880s, when he was only 22-23 years old, Leduc creates his first religious works and still lifes.

A natural talent

Black and white photograph of Ozias Leduc at the age of 22. It is a portrait of the young painter wearing a formal suit.

🔍 Ozias Leduc at 22

Thanks to a natural curiosity and great sensitivity, Ozias Leduc is soon attracted to the arts and develops a true gift for drawing. He takes pride in presenting himself as self-taught. Later in life he benefits from learning skills essential to the development of his art.