Rand, ? ( First name unknown). Sculptor. Woodcarver. Verdun, Quebec. Active mid 2oth century.

This artist was a maker of painted flat-plane figural carvings made in the style of Carl-Johan Trygg (see article) the figures were not carved ‘from life’ but were caricature or character carvings. Works are occasionally found with his, or her, mark on the base – some are shown below. There is no known first name found yet for this artist. The mark ‘Verdun’ on the base is not unusual; there were several woodcarvers working there in the mid 20th century and some – notably the Hannah brothers – were known to have learned the art from C. J. Trygg. (see articles on Hannah family)

Samples of wood carvings marked “Rand”:

Wood carvings signed Rand. Verdun. Four Carved Figures.

Close-up of two Carved ‘Rand’ figures:

Rand. Verdun. Quebec. Wood Carver. Two carved figures.

The ‘Rand, Verdun’ mark on the base:

Rand. Verdun Mark on Base.

Fernand Bourgault. Sculptor. Flat-plane carver. Saint-Jean-Port-Joli, Quebec. Active mid to late 20th century.

Fernand Bourgault is the son of Medard Bourgault and the father of Paul-Yvan Bourgault  (who is also a talented sculptor) Fernand Bourgault is a very talented sculptor and he works in both contemporary and rural Quebec themes.

A carved bust of a young woman by Fernand Bourgault:

Fernand Bourgault, Saint-Jean-Port-Joli, Quebec.

His mark:

Fernand Bourgault. His mark.

J. LeRoy. Sculptor. Montreal, Verdun (?),  Quebec.  Active 1930’s – 1950’s.

The Mark: Hand carved by J. LeRoy appears on a carved shadow box of a man in traditional Quebec costume sitting by a wood stove smoking a pipe. It is signed “J. LeRoy” on the reverse. (See images below.)

There is certainly a connection between R. LeRoy and J. LeRoy. (See article on R. LeRoy.)

Shadow box by J. LeRoy:

Diorama by J. LeRoy. Verdun, Quebec. 1950’s.

Mark of J. LeRoy:

Mark of J. LeRoy, Verdun, Quebec.

Rosaire Audet, Sculptor. Wood carver. Painter. Loretteville, Quebec. Active mid-20th century.

Rosaire Audet began carving in the late 1930’s and opened his ‘atelier’ and studio in 1939; making smaller painted carvings of Quebec people and ‘characters’ which were sold along the highways and in tourist galleries and shops in the Quebec City and Saint-Jean-Port-Joli area. He was also known for his well sculpted applied relief carvings, many with finely painted background scenes. The relief carvings would have carved and painted animals and wild birds applied on the painted background. Usually fairly small, they were often charming, attractive and captivating. Many were simple country-side scenes painted on slices of wood cut from Birch or Poplar trees. Local people in the area became involved in the studio and also made these painted and carved pieces. After he died ,suddenly, in 1947, his studio survived for some years through the work of these other self-taught artists. Audet carvings were signed by hand in script in the early years then typically signed with a stamp saying ‘Rosaire Audet’ and later simply: ‘Audet’. (Below are a few examples by him and by his studio.)

See the link below for a history of M. Audet in a publication published by the ‘Haute-Saint-Charles’ Historical Society. In the French language, Rosaire Audet’s  entry starts on page 14. *

http://www.societe-hst-hstc.ca/fs/Bulletins/csabo-V_10_No1_automne_2013.pdf

* From information provided by Charles Breton-Demeules.

Three Early ‘Slab’ Paintings. Rosaire Audet mark:

Rosaire Audet Three ‘Slab’ paintings. 1940’s.

Mark with a stamp on the reverse:

Rosaire Audet. His Mark.

Applied Relief from the Audet Studio workshop:

Rosaire Audet. Applied Relief’ Carving.

The Mark with a stamp on the reverse:

Audet Mark.

Rosaire Audet. Carved Figures:

Rosaire Audet. A group of Carved Figures. 1940’s.

Rosaire Audet Applied Relief carving of a Deer:

Rosaire Audet. Applied relief carving of a Deer.

The reverse with his mark:

Relief Carving of a Deer. Audet mark in written script.

An example of his mark in script:

Rosaire Audet. Loretteville, Quebec. Mark in written script. 1940’s.