Church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Présentation National Historic Site of Canada

The Church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Présentation was designated a national historic site of Canada in 2003 because:

— its iconographic program, executed between 1942 and 1955 by the well-known artist Ozias Leduc, is a remarkable expression of religious themes and scenes inspired by the history and activities of the region, to which the artist has given both a personal and spiritual interpretation, imbued with Symbolism; and,

— its iconographic program is marked by the originality of its composition and theme, as well as its great evocative power, making it Leduc's ultimate artistic statement and a work that was entirely unique in his career and his time.

The interior of the Church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Présentation was painted by well-known Quebec artist Ozias Leduc (1864-1955) with the assistance of Gabrielle Messier (1904-2003). Executed during the last 13 years of Leduc’s life, the decorative program at Notre-Dame-de-la-Présentation represents the culmination of his work, illustrating the influence of the Symbolist movement on his thematic and artistic approach. The decorative program also marks the end of the great era of religious mural painting in Quebec.

The painted interior is remarkable for the originality and quality of individual paintings, as well as for the iconographic unity of the entire decorative program. Leduc sought to give prominence to everyday life and local settings within the context of sacred painting. In Leduc’s work, human and religious experience are visually and symbolically united. Nine paintings, situated in the further reaches of the choir and nave, depict traditional religious themes derived from biblical narrative. Six paintings located in closer proximity to the congregation, depict historical and social themes connected to the religious and industrial history of the Mauricie region. The paintings are surrounded and visually united by ornamental bands, inscriptions, and geometric, symbolic and emblematic motifs painted directly on the walls and ceiling. The decorative program is executed in the Symbolist style popular during the early 20th century, incorporating concrete objects to depict allegorical truths. The use of flowing lines, filtered light and soft colours give the paintings a mystical quality appropriate to the spiritual subject matter.