Fleurimond Constantineau (1905–1981)
Title: ” Le Coin du Banc – Gaspésie ”
Panel size: 8″ x 10″ ( 15 3/4″ x 17 7/8″ framed ) ………$1,495.00 Canadian
Provenance:
Acquired in the late 1970s, this work originates from the collection of an avid enthusiast of the artist. The original owner was a personal acquaintance of both Constantineau and his son through their shared careers at Quebecair, establishing a direct and credible link to the artist’s studio. A detailed letter of provenance is available upon purchase.
Ownership History:
- Original Private Collection (Acquired late 1970s)
- By Descent (Family of the original owner)
- Current Private Collection
Le Coin du Banc – Gaspésie (1949)
Dating from 1949, this vigorous coastal study captures the dramatic geological character of the Gaspé Peninsula just two years before the artist’s life-changing move toward Arctic themes. Painted at Le Coin-du-Banc, a historic hamlet near Percé, the work highlights Constantineau’s fascination with the unique mineral reds and ochres of the Atlantic cliffs. The composition is defined by a bold contrast between the sun-baked ancient rock formations and the deep, choppy blues of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Adding to its exceptional provenance is the artist’s own inscription on the reverse, which includes his Outremont studio address—a detail that anchors the work in the professional life of a mid-century Montreal master. This painting represents a peak in Constantineau’s pre-Arctic period, offering collectors a rare combination of intense color, rugged texture, and impeccable documentation.
Fleurimond Constantineau (1905–1981)
Fleurimond Constantineau was a distinguished Canadian painter, draftsman, and educator who occupied a unique place in 20th-century art. A graduate of the Montreal School of Fine Arts (Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Mtl. 1924-29), Constantineau was recognized early in his career for his exceptional drawing skills, earning five bronze medals and a prestigious gold medal from the French government for academic excellence. He dedicated decades to his craft as a professor of drawing and painting, influencing generations of artists at his alma mater and other Montreal institutions from 1932 through the late 1940s.
While deeply rooted in his native Montreal, Constantineau’s most profound artistic legacy stems from his extensive travels. He is most celebrated for his six major expeditions to the Canadian Far Northbetween 1951 and 1973. Through his empathetic portraits of Inuit people and his vibrant coastal seascapes of the Hudson Strait, he played a critical role in bringing the raw beauty and human spirit of the Arctic to a national audience. His work was equally inspired by his travels to the Caribbean, Europe, and Africa, as well as his deep affection for the historic streetscapes of Old Montreal and the rugged landscapes of rural Quebec.
Independent of the radical movements of his time, such as Automatism, Constantineau maintained a descriptive style characterized by a mastery of atmospheric light and vigorous impasto. His ability to capture the “human presence” within a landscape remains a hallmark of his work. Today, his paintings are held in the permanent collections of Canada’s most prestigious institutions, including the National Gallery of Canada and the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, cementing his status as a pillar of Canadian heritage art.
Copyright of the artist and or the artist estate.