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Religious Art Treasures
 Establishment of various Catholic religious orders in Québec is closely linked with the prodigious 17th century French colonisation period in North America, jointly responsible for developping Nouvelle-France country. The initiative has endured in various ways under the ensuing British and Canadian government forms. Sacred art treasures are prestigious witnesses to this fascinating episode in history. Gold and silver masterpieces, liturgy items and artwork of exceptional value, thousands of precious articles that contribute to Québec city’s reputation as most unique North American travel destination!
These marvels, discreetly hidden away in churches and monasteries for centuries, are now available for public view : magnificent, flawless masterpieces! An extraordinary treasure hunt inside Québec City walls…
Authentic Treasure Chests
Like in all treasure-laden cities, religious art masterpieces abound in Québec City. Each of the collections feature wonderfully rare and impressive items…
| Ursuline Nuns in Nouvelle-France : Mission and Passion |
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Musée des Ursulines de Québec (Museum)
As early as 1639, a sacred art studio was established by the Ursuline nuns on monastery grounds, dedicated to church and chapel artwork such as embroidery, painting, and goldwork. The museum highlights Ursuline nun artistic talent, with a collection of gilded sculptures and sumptuous embroidery items such as this fine altar linen exhibit.
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Photo : Atelier des Ursulines de Québec (Art Studio). Altar linen exhibit known as ‘de la Colombe du Saint-Esprit’ (detail). Approx. 1700 AD. Musée des Ursulines Collection.
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| Good Shepherd Museum : A Love Story |
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Musée du Bon-Pasteur (Museum)
Understanding religious art involves grasping the symbolism behind each of the works under observation. Decoration design on this tabernacle door shows a pelican feeding its young. Here the bird « opening its flesh to feed its brood » symbolizes Christ in the Eucharist. The museum also reveals other secrets…
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Photo : Anonymous. Tabernacle door ornamentation (detail). Prior to 1890 AD. Metal and gilded wood. Sœurs du Bon-Pasteur Collection.
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| Le monastère des Augustines : A Voyage through Time |
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Musée des Augustines de l’Hôtel-Dieu de Québec (Museum)
The museum illustrates the contribution of the Augustine Nun Order over time. After landing from France in 1639, they founded Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, the first hospital institution north of Mexico. An exciting tour of the old monastery, with its arched cellars dating back to 1695 and luxurious 1803 church, allows visitors to make stunning discoveries, such as this superbly sculptured reliquary treasure piece.
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Photo : Noël Levasseur. Shrine to Catherine de St-Augustin. 1717 AD. Glass and gilded wood. Musée des Augustines Collection.
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| Séminaire de Québec, Wisdom and Works |
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Musée de l’Amérique française (Museum)
A rich collection totalling 2700 liturgical items, 16000 holy cards and religious images, paintings, etchings, sculptures, rare books. A remarkable chalice having belonged to Monseigneur François de Laval, first bishop of Québec, is something to see and admire. Other artefacts of great historical significance may be viewed at the Musée de la civilisation.
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Photo : Nicolas Dolin. Chalice. France, approx. 1673 AD. Solid silver and gold (vermilion). Musée de la civilisation Collection.
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| Québec City, The Art of a Colonial Capital |
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Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec (Museum)
The exhibition highlights Québec City’s predominating influence on art expression from the early days of the colony until the end of the 19th century. Masterpiece sculptures and paintings include the famous Ange gardien, considered as one of the most beautiful Nouvelle-France paintings…
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Photo : Claude François (Frère Luc). L’Ange gardien (detail). 1671 AD. Oil on canvas. MNBAQ Collection.
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Stunning Treasure Troves
The Québec City Area is without a doubt the richest part of the province with regard to government listed church and chapel buildings. These fabulous monuments to heritage architecture are authentic treasure chests…
| Tribute to Urban Beauty and Treasures |
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Québec City
Québec City was the first North American location to be listed Unesco World Heritage site ! Treasures of priceless historical importance are to be found in this birthplace of French civilization in America. Québec City is only too happy to share all of these extraordinary treasures with the rest of the world.
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Guided tour along picturesque Vieux-Québec streets : an introduction to paragon religious art works created over the past 400 years.
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Photo : Louis Jobin. Ange. 1916 AD. Gilding on wood. Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste.
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| Where the Rising Sun Shines on Living History |
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The Côte-de-Beaupré Area
Monseigneur de Laval was the generous benefactor of the first Nouvelle-France parish communities. Messieurs du Séminaire de Québec, heirs to this illustrious bishop, continued to support and build on religious art treasures in these parishes. Église Saint-Joachim, built according to plans drawn by François et Thomas Baillairgé, stands as a major contribution to sacred architecture and art; splendors to be found in this church include Les Trois Marie au tombeau, among others.
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Photo : Thomas Baillairgé. Les trois Marie au tombeau. Approx. 1816 AD. Gilding on wood. Église de Saint-Joachim. Photo from L’Art sacré en Amérique française (2005).
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| Sacred Art Works in Abundance |
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The Portneuf Area
Paintings, sculptures, gold and silver creations, linen and other textile works, from the Nouvelle-France period to the 20th century, items illustrating baroque-style exuberance or the most rigorous neoclassical art standards: works of exceptionally remarkable quality by our most reputed artists are to be found in Portneuf area churches, such as this admirable statue of Saint Grégoire le Grand.
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Photo : François Baillairgé. Saint Grégoire le Grand (detail). Approx. 1822 AD. Polychrome on wood. Église Saint-Joseph de Deschambault.
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| Unforgettable, Pleasantly Surprising Holidays |
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The Jacques-Cartier River Valley Area
Pure enchantment awaits visitors in this inspiringly calm nature environment where totally unexpected religious art treasures are to be found. The feeling is one of enlightenment as you cross the church threshold and come close to these luminous art creations, such as this spectacular monstrance artfully evocative of intensely radiating sun. This is not to mention several other wonderful exhibition and concert events.
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Photo : Anonymous. Ostensoir (monstrance). Chapelle St-Joseph-du-Lac.
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| The Mysterious Island |
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Île d’Orléans
A remarkable number of religious art works is to be found in Sainte-Famille, second oldest parish community in the country. Legendary treasures and creations by Frère Luc, François Baillargé, and Antoine Plamondon may be admired inside Église de Sainte-Famille (church), the last remaining church building in the archdiocese of Québec dedicated under the French Régime. This precious collection of masterpieces is under constant surveillance by the enigmatic "Angel with the Trumpet"…
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Photo : Anonymous. Ange de la résurrection. Prior to 1781 AD. Polychrome on wood.
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Religious Art Treasures:
an exclusive, memorable discovery adventure
in the Québec City Area !
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CALENDAR
