Portrait Of Mme. Charles Turgeon (Nee Emilie Lemaire St. Germain)

Theophile Hamel

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Canadian [1817-1870]

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PORTRAIT OF MME. CHARLES TURGEON (NEE EMILIE LEMAIRE ST. GERMAIN); 1855

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oil on canvas

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37.75 x 29.5 in. (95.9 x 74.9 cm)

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signed & dated; titled on gallery labels verso

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Exhibition: Galerie Walter Klinkhoff, "Homage to Walter Klinkhoff" #13

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Provenance: Galerie Walter Klinkhoff, Montreal; Galerie Bernard Desroches, Montreal; Fred Schaffer, Toronto; Sisters of the Presentation of Mary, St. Hyacinthe; Cecile Gauthier (grand-niece of the subject); Emilie Saint-Germain

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In 1984, at the age of 16, Hamel became apprentice to the most prominent Quebec artist of the time, Plamondon, and trained exclusively under the master's strict guidance for 6 years. Hamel gained the early patronage of several prominent members of Quebec society and executed a number of commissions before taking an extended trip to Europe (1843-6), where he painted and studied the works of Titian.

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Upon his return to Quebec, Hamel quickly established a successful career. In 1853 he achieved the high honour of an appointment as the official portrait painter of the government. Over the course of his career, Hamel painted the most prominent members of the society of his time, and his work can be seen in many important public collections (including The National Gallery of Canada and the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa).