The Chapelle Notre-Dame de Lourdes de Montréal stands as a primary architectural testament to the career of Napoléon Bourassa. Between his birth in 1827 in L'Acadie and his death in 1916 in Lachenaie, he navigated a career spanning painting, writing, and architectural design, influencing the cultural landscape of Canada through both his aesthetic contributions and institutional leadership.
Artistic Training and Early Development
Although he initially interned with Norbert Dumas in 1848 to pursue a legal path, Bourassa shifted his focus toward the fine arts. He underwent training with Theophile Hamel between 1850 and 1852. His artistic perspective broadened significantly through travels in Florence, Rome, and Paris, undertaken with the Nazarene movement painter Johann Friedrich Overbeck. Following these travels, he established an art studio in Montebello.
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Operating primarily from his office at 430 Rue Bonsecours in Montreal, Bourassa oversaw the design of various religious and institutional buildings. His portfolio includes the Institut Nazareth et Louis Braille, the Church of Montebello, the Church of Saint-Hugues, the Church of Saint-Ours, and the Dominican convent of Saint-Hyacinthe. He also collaborated with Louis G. Destremps on the St. Anne Shrine Church in Fall River, Massachusetts, and performed renovations on the Saint Hyacinthe the Confessor Cathedral.
Institutional Contributions
Beyond design, Bourassa influenced the organization of arts in Canada. He served as vice-president of the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society and founded the Canadian Journal. In 1877, he participated in a government commission of inquiry in Quebec, traveling to France to evaluate teaching methods for schools of arts, crafts, and architecture. By 1880, he was among the founders of the National Gallery of Canada. In 1883, he provided consultation services for the construction of the building housing the Legislative Assembly of Quebec.
Fast facts
- Born: 1827, L'Acadie, Quebec
- Died: 1916, Lachenaie, Quebec
- Spouse: Azélie Papineau
- Son: Henri Bourassa, founder of Le Devoir
- Primary Occupations: Architect, painter, writer
- Notable Painting: The Apotheosis of Christopher Columbus
- Affiliation: Royal Canadian Academy of Arts
Questions readers ask
What is the status of Napoléon Bourassa's personal records?
His correspondence was published by his daughter Adine in 1929, and a dedicated fund, the Fund-Napoleon Bourassa, was established at the University of Ottawa.
Which notable figures worked under Bourassa?
His associates included Olindo Gratton, François-Édouard Meloche, and Louis-Philippe Hébert.
