Régis Labeaume is now part of the legend. His portrait was installed a few days ago alongside those of Andrée P Boucher, Jean-Paul L’Allier and other mayors before them.
A painting that has this particularity: there are two portraits. It is the choice of the artist Denis Jacques, artist-painter from Quebec.
” For the portrait of Mr. Labeaume, it happened quite early, I said to myself, I couldn’t find a pause that described him well. »
The portraitist met Mayor Labeaume twice, last fall, before the end of his mandate. Two sessions that happened at lightning speed.
Radio-Canada was able to be present when the photos were taken in the painter’s studio. The session will have lasted less than 15 minutes. the model
was distracted, impatient and laughing.
And that I wouldn’t be a model!
laughs Régis Labeaume in the middle of the session when the portrait painter asks him to take a break.
Close your mouth
politely asks Denis Jacques. This is the first time I’ve been asked that in 14 years!
replies the mayor who laughs.
This session will not have made it possible to get the hoped-for shot. The artist will instead use other photos taken in the mayor’s office a few days earlier. I tried to go for a very serious side and a very good-natured side. This cannot be summed up in a single phrase.
Two profile photos in which the mayor is not looking at the camera. It does not give off the same thing from the front as from the side
believes the artist who said he was inspired by his model
.
Before leaving his studio, Mayor Labeaume gives him carte blanche. He said to me: do what you want. I think that’s the best approach with an artist.
He will finally have only one requirement: although he posed without a tie, he wanted to have one on the painting.
All in color
The painting was hung in a section of City Hall that is not accessible to the public, near the mayor’s office. The portrait of Régis Labeaume contrasts with the others. He is all in color whereas the mayors before him are more austere and painted with darker colors in a more traditional style.
Denis Jacques did not want to make a ordinary work
with such a remarkable character. He has character, it’s very interesting. It’s not so much in his appearance, it’s in what he exudes.
Artist in residence
This is not the first time that Denis Jacques has painted the portrait of a mayor of Quebec City. A few months after the unexpected death of the mayor, Andrée P Boucher, he was entrusted with the task of immortalizing it. He must have been inspired by a photo. For an artist, it is a disaster
.
Fortunately, he says, he was able to draw inspiration from a photo of Ms. Boucher taken by the artist from Quebec, of Austrian origin, Eugen Kedl. I adapted it a little in my own way
.
He would also have liked to paint the portrait of Jean-Paul L’Allier. The painter lives in an industrial building converted into an artist’s studio in the late 90s. It was in his neighborhood development plan. I have been here for 25 years.
At the time, he hadn’t raised his hand to do so. He regrets it today.
Mayors Gallery
The name of Denis Jacques is also associated with a project for the 400th anniversary of the City of Quebec. To mark this anniversary, he was given the task of coordinating the creation of 36 portraits of the mayors of the City since its founding.
The Mayors Gallery is now updated. Régis Labeaume also has his portrait with the others. This time, the mayor of Quebec is looking straight ahead. This gallery is located on the ground floor of the town hall. Citizens can go there for free.
Denis Jacques today has the feeling of having accomplished his duty. I made three portraits with three different expressions. I walked around the character.
Régis Labeaume did not want a ceremony to unveil his portraits. He saw them from a distance, a few months ago. It’s less conventional and static, and why not
he told Radio-Canada. The choice is that of the artist, I only served as raw material
he added.
The two paintings were installed discreetly.
Reference-ici.radio-canada.ca