Moise Potvin. Sculptor. Woodcarver. Painter. Luthier. Born at West Farnham, Quebec. Lived in Rhode Island. Active early to mid 20th century.
It is difficult to describe the career of this artist in a short page.
Among the many accomplishments of Moise Potvin was a set of large dioramas that he showed around the U.S. and Canada. His carvings were monumental and historic in nature – his themes were varied – from ‘The Great Depression’ and conspicuous wealth to ‘Home Sweet Home’ and ‘Story Without Words’. They numbered well over one hundred and many were large. ‘Home Sweet Home’ took two years to complete and most of his works were in painted. His career reminds me of the travels around Canada and parts of the U.S. by Gaston Bergeron showing his ‘Fabulous Miniature Circus’ and Archelas Poulin travelling with his amazing automatons.
A carving of the Racehorse ‘Cresceus’ by Moise Potvin:
Moise Potvin. Cresceus
The Label on the carving of Cresceus:
Moise Potvin. The Label.
A Self-Portrait of the Artist at Ease:
Moise Potvin. Self Portrait.
From a Christie auction house catalogue circa 2005:
Two Strong Men by Moise Potvin.
A link to an excellent biography in French in “Planete Genealogie et Histoire:
A link to a biography of the artist in New England People Magazine in two parts. (There is a link to the first part on the page.):
Ref: http://www.onenewengland.com/article.php?id=375
From a Christie auction catalogue in New York (2005):
“Born in West Farmham, Quebec, Moise Potvin as a young man moved to Rhode Island. Although it is documented that Potvin was an accomplished violin maker, evident from a label affixed to an Amati violin, “Restored by Moise Potvin, Rhode Island, 1916”, it is his folk art carvings that have won him the most recognition. From 1925 through 1940 many of his carvings toured the United States and Canada. In 1948 the Binghamton Press (NY) featured a series of Potvin’s carvings titled “Hobbyland” that were the center attraction in an exhibition at the Binghamton Armory. “Hobbyland” consisted of twelve 5’ by 5’ tableaux, variously titled, with exquisitely carved fully detailed animated wood figures engaged in daily pursuits. “The Village Smith Stand” … … Displaying 750 of 1091 characters.
