Alfred Lalibert?

(b Ste-Elisabeth-de-Warwick, 1878; d Montreal, 1953). Canadian sculptor. Born into a French colonial family, he arrived in Montreal c. 1896 to study drawing and modelling at the Conseil des Arts et M?tiers. With financial support from politician friends, notably Sir Wilfrid Laurier who was then prime minister of Canada, he continued his studies at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris (1902-7). While there he exhibited eight works in the Salon, one of which, Young Indians Hunting (Montreal, Mus. F.A.), was acquired by the Canadian government. On his return to Montreal he took up teaching, until a state commission gave him the chance of a second stay in Paris (1910-11). His reputation increased over the years, thanks to his commemorative statues of patriotic inspiration, the best-known of which include Dollard des Ormeaux (1911-20; Montreal, Lafontaine Park), the Patriots (1926; Montreal) and the portrait of Louis H?bert (1917-19; Quebec, Montmorency Park), the first colonist of New France. Between 1928 and 1932 he executed some 200 bronzes illustrating crafts, customs and legends from Canadian history for the Mus?e du Qu?bec collection, sculpting many of his finest works. The group is now of great ethnographic value. Lalibert?'s output was prodigious and diverse. He left a legacy of over 1000 sculptures in terracotta, marble, plaster and bronze, among them such allegorical pieces as the Soul of Marble (marble, c. 1927; Quebec, Mus. Qu?.), Broken Wings (bronze, c. 1919-23; Montreal, C?te des Neiges cemetery), and the Son of his Works (bronze, c. 1926; Ottawa, N.G.). He was also a painter and the author of several books about his life, his work and his times.

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