SOUCY, Elzéar (1876-1970)

Elzéar Soucy first studied sculpture under Arthur Vincent before becoming an apprentice to Alfred Lefrançois and Marie-Philippe-Richard Banlier (known as Laperle). He headed to Europe after completing his training at Montreal’s Monument-National, working alongside George William Hill upon his return (1896-1912) and acquiring a studio on Bleury Street. Between 1928 and 1950, he taught modeling sculpture at the Monument-National as well as sculpture at the École du meuble. He created religious, commemorative and decorative statues, though devoted himself primarily to portrait busts and full-body sculptures. Notable works include the statue of Pierre LeMoyne d’Iberville at the Quebec Parliament Building (1884), a monument to Monseigneur Louis-François Laflèche in Trois-Rivières (1924-1925) and a bronze memorial to the 85th Regiment. In 1923, he was the subject of an exhibition at the Saint-Sulpice library in Montreal. From 1915 to 1936, his work was also featured in the Salons of the Art Association of Montreal and the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts.