Urban Environments
through the art of Jean Paul Lemieux

Jean Paul Lemieux (1904–1990) was one of the most innovative and important painters in twentieth-century Canada. He is also famous for his prolific work as an art critic, his role as a teacher, and his love for Quebec City, where he was born and died. Lemieux spent most of his life either in Quebec City or not far from it and showcased it in at least thirty paintings. His career spanned important periods in Canadian history, including the Second World War and the Quiet Revolution. His haunting landscapes and lively cityscapes expose the effects of industrialization and urbanization on Canadian communities from the 1930s to the 1980s. This guide explores Lemieux’s attentiveness to his surroundings, with a focus on urbanization.