Isn’t it remarkable how art immortalizes a person? Here at Place Jean-Paul Riopelle stands Le Grand Jean-Paul. This is a sculpture in the likeness of the artist Jean-Paul Riopelle. The sculpture graces the southern part of the square near Rue Saint-Antoine West.
Roseline Granet created Le Grand Jean-Paul in 2003. She wanted to pay tribute to her great friend. Granet had even exhibited sculptures portraying Riopelle in natural poses back in 1997.
The sculpture portrays Riopelle at about 45 to 47 years old. This was around the time he produced La Joute. However, the artwork has no visual connection with the fountain. The imposing fountain is installed in the northern part of the square.
Le Grand Jean-Paul is a life-size full-round portrait made of bronze. Riopelle’s face is turned to the right. His right hand rests on his hip. His right foot is placed slightly forward. The surface of the artwork is granular. It gives the impression of movement.
Jean-Paul Riopelle was born in Montréal on October 7, 1923. He was a student of Paul-Émile Borduas. He attended the École du meuble. Riopelle later became a member of the Automatist group. In 1948, he signed the Refus global. It was an artists’ manifesto criticizing the dominant values in Québec society.
In 1949, Riopelle moved to Paris. He worked alongside the surrealists. He became very successful. He returned to Québec in 1990. He was a Grand officier of the Ordre national du Québec. Also, he was a Companion of the Order of Canada. Riopelle died on March 12, 2002. He died in Saint-Antoine-de-l’Isle-aux-Grues. He represented Canada twice at the Venice Biennale.
Roseline Granet was born in Paris. She studied painting and drawing in 1954. She attended the Art Students League in New York. From 1956 to 1959, she attended the studio of sculptor Ossip Zadkine in Paris. In 1960, Granet and Gilbert Clémenti founded the Fonderie Clémenti in Meudon. In 1974, she had her first exhibition. It was at Galerie Darthea Speyer in Paris.
Granet has produced a number of important artworks. These include a portrayal of writer Jean-Paul Sartre. It was commissioned by the French government. Another is Monument aux droits de l’homme. It was commissioned by the Ville de Meudon. She is also known in Québec for her sculpture of poet Émile Nelligan. It is called Monument à Émile Nelligal. Granet continues to be interested in figurative representation.
Place Jean-Paul Riopelle itself was created in 2004. It was built over the Ville-Marie Expressway. This happened at the same time as the CDP Capital Centre. The square was named in honor of Jean-Paul Riopelle.
In the northern part of the square, a water basin highlights La Joute. This is another sculpture by Jean-Paul Riopelle. La Joute’s central element is a fountain. It has alternating water jets. A circle of fire appears on the surface of the water during summer evenings. This work was previously installed at the Olympic Park since 1976.
Place Jean-Paul Riopelle contains eighty-eight trees. They are from eleven different species. These include the Sugar Maple and Bitternut Hickory. These mature trees are planted in a random pattern. It is reminiscent of a computer printed circuit. From the ground, gutters project light mist. This happens during late night entertainment of “La Joute”.
So, as you stand here before Le Grand Jean-Paul, remember the artist. Remember his life. Remember his impact on art and culture. This square and this sculpture are a testament to his enduring legacy.