Lot #51: Vintage Relief Wood Carving St. Francis of Assisi Icon

Vintage Relief Wood Carving St. Francis of Assisi Icon This is a vintage wood relief carving of St. Francis of Assisi, a prominent subject in the folk-art tradition of Saint-Jean-Port-Joli, Quebec. The piece was created at the Atelier Bourgault, a world-renowned woodcarving studio founded by the Bourgault brothers (Médard, André, and Jean-Julien), who are credited with establishing the village as the "sculpture capital" of Quebec. Identification Details: Subject: St. Francis of Assisi, depicted in his traditional monk's habit with a rope belt. He is shown with birds—one on his shoulder and one in his hands—symbolizing his patronage of animals and nature. Origin: Saint-Jean-Port-Joli, Quebec, a center for "habitant" folk art that often features religious and traditional life themes. Era: The dating to June 1960 places it during the peak of the village's mid-century carving renaissance. Style: Relief carving, where the figure is carved into a flat wooden plaque. The Bourgault family's influence was so significant that their workshop was eventually transformed into a formal sculpture school to train future generations of master carvers. Pieces like this are considered significant examples of Canadian heritage and 20th-century Quebecois folk art. Museum grade. All information provided herein is considered accurate. It is the buyer's responsibility to verify its accurateness. As shown and as is. The pictures are part of the description. Pickup category timeslot {A}