Saint Joseph, Jesus’ father, was a carpenter, so he is depicted here with his tools.

With respect to the artist, Jean Jacquiés (sometimes spelled Jacquiès, Jacquier, or Jacques) dit Leblond, baptized Jan Jacques Bloem, was born in 1688 in Brussels, Belgium. This sculptor arrived in New France around 1712. His reputation was quickly recognized, and the artist forged ties, among others, with Noël and Pierre Levasseur, established sculptors in Quebec City. The latter were born in New France.

In 1713, Jean Jacquiés dit Leblond agreed to work for the Recollects of Montreal. He produced an altarpiece there. After 1715, he settled in Trois-Rivières. He designed a tabernacle for the chapel of the Ursulines in Trois-Rivières and for the Chapel of the Recollects in 1718. In 1721, he agreed to produce a tabernacle for the church in Saint-François-du-Lac.

He passed away at the end of 1723. At that time, his wife was pregnant with their second daughter, Geneviève, who was born in 1724.

Little remains of the work of this master sculptor.

This bas-relief intended for the first church of Yamachiche depicts Saint Joseph and is combined with the bas-relief depicting Saint Simon.

Musée Pierre-Boucher Collection
1977 274 S