Le vieux pionnier canadien by Marc-Aurèle de Foy Suzor-Coté

Provenance:
William Patrick O’Brien, Montreal
Archibald Frederick Bentley, Montreal
By descent to the present Private Collection, Ontario

Literature:
Pierre L'Allier, Suzor-Coté, L'oeuvre sculpté, Musée du Québec, 1991, pages 46-47.

Discussing Suzor-Coté's development of the habitant figure through his work, L'Allier notes that the artist created several charcoal drawings and works in pastel of Father Edras Cyr, having completed a bust of the sitter in 1911. The theme of the pioneer sitting in a rocking chair smoking his pipe appears to have already germinated in Suzor-Coté's mind, L'Allier referencing an undated pastel in the Musée du Québec's collection, possibly acting as the preparatory study for the bronze.

Suzor-Coté presents “Le vieux pionnier canadien” as a dreamer, pondering his life, the rifle and varied tools represented on either side of the base testifying to his activities. Although he leans slightly back in his chair, Suzor-Coté depicts the figure in a comfortable position, capturing the essence of his subject for eternity, the heritage of his people present in the features and attitude of his model. The mastery of Suzor-Coté is clearly evident through the stability and detail of “Le vieux pionnier canadien”.

Originally owned by W.P. O’Brien of Outremont, Quebec, a partner in the Montréal firm of stockbrokers, O’Brien & Williams, Suzor-Coté’s “Le vieux pionnier canadien” and “La compagne du vieux pionnier” (Lot 8) were likely purchased soon after their casting. Archibald Frederick Bentley worked for the firm and, when visiting the home of W.P. O’Brien, would sit and wait in the living room, the pair of bronzes on prominent display on the mantel of the fireplace. Upon the passing of O’Brien, Bentley acquired the pair of sculptures from the estate, the pair remaining in the family until this offering.