Charles Daudelin Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Charles Daudelin

Born	October 1, 1920 Granby, Quebec, Canada
Died	April 2, 2001(2001-04-02) (aged 80) Pointe-Claire, Quebec, Canada
Nationality	Canadian
Known for	sculpture,painting
Spouse(s)	Louise Bissonette (m. 1946)

Charles Daudelin (born October 1, 1920 – died April 2, 2001) was a famous French Canadian artist. He was a pioneer in modern sculpture and painting. This means he was one of the first to create new and exciting art in these styles. He used many different materials, like paint, metal, and clay for his sculptures. He also made jewelry and even puppets (called marionettes) with his wife, Louise.

Life and Work of Charles Daudelin
Honours and Awards
Images for kids
See also

Life and Work of Charles Daudelin

Charles Daudelin was born in Granby, Quebec. In 1939, he moved to Montreal. There, he worked for a silversmith named Gilles Beaugrand. While working, he also took evening art classes at the École du meuble in Montreal. By 1941, he was studying art there full-time.

In 1941, he joined a group called the Contemporary Arts Society. In 1943, Charles and 22 other young artists showed their work in an exhibition called Sagittarius. This show was a big moment for a group of artists known as the Automatistes. Daudelin showed his sculptures there. Later that year, he had his very first solo art show in Granby.

Learning and Teaching Art

Between 1944 and 1945, Daudelin visited New York City twice. He went to the studio of a famous artist named Fernand Léger. From 1946 to 1948, Daudelin lived in Paris, France. He often met with Léger and also with another sculptor, Henri Laurens. Laurens's art, which used natural and flowing shapes, greatly influenced Daudelin's own work.

After returning to Canada, Daudelin taught at the École des beaux-arts in Montréal until 1967. He became known for putting art in public places. This means he created many artworks that people could see and enjoy outside in cities.

Famous Public Artworks

Charles Daudelin created many well-known public artworks. Here are some of them:

Allegrocube (1973) is a sculpture in Montreal.

Polypède (1967): This sculpture is at McGill University in Montreal.
Allegrocube (1973): You can find this artwork at the Palais de justice de Montréal (Montreal Courthouse).
Altar screen for the Sacré-Coeur chapel: This beautiful piece is inside the Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal.
Agora (1981): This artwork is located in Viger Square in Montreal.
Embâcle (1984): This sculpture is in Paris, France, at Place du Québec.
Aluminum joints and large sculptural grilles: These are found at Mont-Royal and Langelier metro stations in the Montreal metro system.

Art Exhibitions and Collections

Two major art museums, the Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal and the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, held large shows of Daudelin's art in 1974. In 1997, the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec held another big show. It featured over 180 of his artworks, showing his entire career.

Daudelin's art can be seen in many important collections. The Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec has 117 of his works. His art is also in the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the Robert McLaughlin Gallery in Oshawa, and the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa.

Charles Daudelin lived in Kirkland, Quebec. He passed away in nearby Pointe-Claire, Quebec. His very last artwork, Le Passage du 2 avril, was named after the date he died. It is installed in front of Kirkland City Hall.

In 2002, Canada Post even issued a postage stamp that showed Daudelin's artwork Embâcle.

Honours and Awards

Charles Daudelin received many important awards and honours for his artistic contributions:

Second prize in the Concours artistiques du Québec for painting (1946) and sculpture (1964, 1969).
Victor Lynch-Staunton Award from the Canada Council for the Arts (1972).
Prix Philippe-Hébert from the St-Jean-Baptiste Society of Montréal (1981).
Prix Paul-Émile-Borduas from the Government of Quebec (1985). This is one of Quebec's highest awards for arts and sciences.
He became a member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts (1985).
He was recognized as an Academy of Great Montrealers in the Cultural category (1994).
He received the Grand Officier title from the Ordre national du Québec (1998).
He was named Commander of the Ordre de Montréal (2016).