Rousseau Albert

Albert Rousseau (1908-1982)

Born in 1908 at St. Etienne, Quebec, Albert Rousseau studied art at l’Ecole des Beaux -Arts, Quebec between 1924 and 1931. He devoted his entire life to painting and began to receive wider notice after exhibiting his work at the Art Association of Montreal Spring Exhibitions beginning in 1930 and culminating in his winning the Jessie Dow Prize, which he shared with Alfred Pellan, for his portrait of Roland Chenail in 1948. In 1950 he held his first solo show in Montreal at Chez Tranquille where he impressed the critics with his eye for pattern, sound draughtsmanship and satisfying colour technique. The next year he joined Robert Pilot, Harold Beament, Madeleine Laliberté and Benoit East in five artists show at the Musée du Québec. During his career he travelled and painted extensively in Canada, United States, France, Spain and Portugal.

Rousseau was a versatile artist who not only was a painter and engraver but sculptor and potter. This made him an ideal teacher and workshop director. Early in his career he conducted workshops and classes for many students, a number of whom became outstanding artists in their own right.

Rousseau held many solo shows and is represented in several museums, universities and private and public collections.

                                                Source: A Dictionary of Canadian Artists, Colin S. Macdonald, Vol 7.