There were many sculptors and wood carvers working in St-Jean-Port-Joli, Quebec who were members of the families of the three primary Bourgault brothers; Medard, Jean-Julien and Andre. Both male artists and female artists. There were siblings of the original three brothers,as well as nieces and nephews and the children of the three brothers and cousins. And also we mustn’t forget their ancestors. The work of Medard, Andre and Jean-Julien is saturated with older inherited skills and memories. (Look in the general Artist Index for separate articles on the family members.)
Harmonie Bourgault. Sculptor. A cousin of the Father of the three brothers. He was known to have carved the Calvary at St.Pamphile-de-L’islet. (“Carved in the Medieval manner”. I was unable to find any images of it unfortunately.)
Alphonse Bourgault. B. 1890? Alphonse Bourgault was an older brother of Medard, Andre and Jean-Julien. He was a Sculptor and a Model Ship builder.
Andre Bourgault. (1898-1958) Sculptor.
Jean-Julien Bourgault. (1910-1996) Sculptor.
Medard Bourgault. (1897-1967) Sculptor.
Antonio Bourgault. A sculptor and a Model Ship carver, he was an older brother of the three. Both Antonio and Alphonse were lighthouse keepers and also worked in the studio of Medard Bourgault.
Yvonne Bourgault. (B.1900?) Sculptor. Sister of the brothers. She was a colorist and a specialist in the smaller, delicate work. She worked with Medard in his studio. She also made shadow boxes. Occasionally, beautiful painted figures are found with her mark.
Alphonse Toussaint. Sculptor. (See photo below) See Separate article on Alphonse Toussaint.
Leon Toussaint. Sculptor. Both Alphonse and Leon Toussaint were nephews and worked in Andre Bourgault’s studio. See separate article.
Cecile B. Toussaint. Sculptor. I believe that the ‘B’ in her mark is for ‘Bourgault’ and that she was a niece of the three brothers – working in the studio of Andre Bourgault. Signed works are occasionally found by her. See separate article.
Lucien Bourgault. (B. 1922.) An accomplished sculptor and nephew of the three brothers. He was the son of Antonio Bourgault.
Jeannette Bourgault. (1925-2010) Sculptor. Daughter of Medard Bourgault.
Celine Bourgault. Sculptor. She carved beautiful shadow boxes showing the interior of houses and shops. They were sometimes covered with a celluloid window – complete with small sash bars – to give the impression of looking into the room from the outside. Very occasionally signed pieces by her are found. I have seen one signed Celine Bourgault and also one signed ‘Celine’ only.
Fernand Bourgault. (1932-) Sculptor. Son of Medard Bourgault.
Jacques Bourgault. (1940-). Sculptor. Son of Medard Bourgault.
Roger Bourgault. Sculptor. (1938-2008) Son of Andre.
J. P. Bourgault. Sculptor. Nephew. (?)
Gilles Bourgault. ‘Gils’ (1937-2005) Sculptor. Son of Jean-Julien Bourgault.
Jean-Raymond Bourgault. Sculptor. (1924-2010) Son of Medard. One of the most talented of the Bourgault family of artists.
Joseph Bourgault. Sculptor. Active 1930-1935. (?)
Gil Bourgault (1937-2005) Sculptor. Son of J. J. Bourgault and Antoinette Caron.
Carmelle Bourgault. Sculptor. Active 1950’s. Daughter of Medard.
Michelle Bourgault. Born 1941. Known to have worked in the studio as a colorist; painting the wood carvings.
Jannine Bourgault (1930-) Active 1970’s ? Relation unknown yet.
C. H. Bourgault Seen: a Crucifix. The cross made of twigs and the Corpus well carved. Signed: C. H. Bourgault. Relation unknown.
Andre Medard Bourgault. Son of Medard Bourgault. His work was exceptionally well carved.
Paul-Yvan Bourgault. (B. 1956.) An academically trained sculptor.
Some Typical Carvings from the Bourgault Studios by Family Members:
A Shadow Box of a Tavern. Unsigned. (1930’s-1940’s):
Bourgault Studio Carving of a Shadow Box of a Tavern. c.1940.
Two Book Marks. Signed: Alphonse Toussaint Bourgault:
Alphonse Toussaint Bourgault. Saint-Jean-Port-Joli, Quebec.
The Mark of Alphonse Toussaint Bourgault:
Alphpnse Toussaint Bourgault. His mark.
From La Dictionnaire des Artistes de Langue Francais en Amerique du Nord:
Ref: Artisans du Quebec. Jean-Marie Gauvreau, Les Editions du Bien Public, Montreal, Quebec,1940.
Ref: Along Quebec Highways. Tourist guide. Department of Highways and Mines. Quebec. 1930. Pictures and maps of Quebec at that time.
Ref: Marius Barbeau, Maîtres artisans de chez-nous. Montréal: Zodiaque. (1942).
Ref: Le Guide des Artisans Createurs du Quebec. J. P. Payette, Editions La Press, 1972.
Ref:Association des Artisans St-Jean Port-Joli, Compagne Rothmans de Pall Mall Canada Limitée.1973.
Ref: Gens de Bois. Woodenfolk. St-Jean-Port-Joli. Les editions Port Joli, 1975.
Ref: Cyril Simard, Artinasat Quebecois. Montreal Les Editions de l’Homme. 1975.
