Albert Gilles: Difference between revisions
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Albert Louis Gilles was born in [[Paris]] on August 20, 1895.<ref name="r1">{{Cite web|title=Our History|website=Cuivres d’Art Albert Gilles|url=https://www.albertgilles-copper-art.com/histoire.php|access-date=2024-02-16}}</ref> He was introduced to the [[Repoussé and chasing|repoussé technique]] by his aunt at the age of 12.<ref name="r1"/><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Biography |url=https://www.communitystories.ca/v2/portraits-de-nos-ancetres_portraits-of-our-ancestors/story/albert-gilles-1895-1979/}}</ref> As an adult he practiced the technique during evening art classes. Gilles injured his right hand during his service in [[World War I]], but was able to rehabilitate it by milking cows at a farm in [[Normandy]].<ref name="r1"/> After the war, Gilles resumed his artistic activities. He also participated in the 1926 [[Salon des artistes décorateurs|Salon des Artistes Décorateurs]] in [[Paris]]. |
Albert Louis Gilles was born in [[Paris]] on August 20, 1895.<ref name="r1">{{Cite web|title=Our History|website=Cuivres d’Art Albert Gilles|url=https://www.albertgilles-copper-art.com/histoire.php|access-date=2024-02-16}}</ref> He was introduced to the [[Repoussé and chasing|repoussé technique]] by his aunt at the age of 12.<ref name="r1"/><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Biography |url=https://www.communitystories.ca/v2/portraits-de-nos-ancetres_portraits-of-our-ancestors/story/albert-gilles-1895-1979/}}</ref> As an adult he practiced the technique during evening art classes. Gilles injured his right hand during his service in [[World War I]], but was able to rehabilitate it by milking cows at a farm in [[Normandy]].<ref name="r1"/> After the war, Gilles resumed his artistic activities. He also participated in the 1926 [[Salon des artistes décorateurs|Salon des Artistes Décorateurs]] in [[Paris]]. |
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In 1927, Gilles emigrated to [[Canada]], arriving in [[Quebec City]] on February 10. In 1929, he moved to the [[United States]], where he settled in [[Detroit]].<ref name=":0" /> He founded the Albert Gilles Studio, later renamed Cuivres d'Art Albert Gilles, or the ''Albert Gilles Copper Art Studio''. During this time, Gilles also worked as a decorator, metal sculptor, and [[silversmith]] in [[Detroit]], [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]], and [[Los Angeles]].<ref name=":0" /> He was then commissioned to repair gates at [[National Capitol of Cuba|Havana's National Capitol]] before returning to [[Canada]] in 1937. |
In 1927, Gilles emigrated to [[Canada]], arriving in [[Quebec City]] on February 10. In 1929, he moved to the [[United States]], where he settled in [[Detroit]].<ref name=":0" /> He founded the Albert Gilles Studio, later renamed Cuivres d'Art Albert Gilles, or the ''Albert Gilles Copper Art Studio''. During this time, Gilles also worked as a decorator, metal sculptor, and [[silversmith]] in [[Detroit]], [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]], and [[Los Angeles]].<ref name=":0" /> He was then commissioned to repair gates at [[National Capitol of Cuba|Havana's National Capitol]] before returning to [[Canada]] in 1937. Gilles also went on to set up a shop in [[Cowansville]], [[Québec]], where he started creating religious artwork for churches, including the [[Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré|Saint-Anne-de-Beaupré Shrine]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=A. Gilles metal works - Monument de la Reconnaissance au 21e siècle |url=https://mr21.ca/en/our-stories-2/metal-menu |access-date=2024-02-23 |website=mr21.ca}}</ref> In 1953, Gilles moved his workshop to [[Château-Richer]], where the Copper Art Museum still operates today.<ref name=":2" /> Gilles died in 1979. |
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== Works == |
== Works == |
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Revision as of 09:27, 19 March 2024
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Albert Gilles | |
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.jpg) Albert Gilles in 1950 | |
| Born | Albert Louis Gilles August 20, 1895 |
| Died | 1979 (aged 83–84) |
| Nationality | French |
| Known for | Coppersmith |
| Children | Palmyre Gilles |
| Website | https://www.albertgilles-copper-art.com/ |
Albert Gilles (20 August 1895 – 1979) was a French coppersmith who is known for his Christian artwork. Throughout his career, Gilles crafted pieces for Disney, Chrysler, and General Motors. However, he later redirected his focus towards creating works with religious themes, particularly depicting the later life of Jesus Christ.
Biography
Albert Louis Gilles was born in Paris on August 20, 1895.[1] He was introduced to the repoussé technique by his aunt at the age of 12.[1][2] As an adult he practiced the technique during evening art classes. Gilles injured his right hand during his service in World War I, but was able to rehabilitate it by milking cows at a farm in Normandy.[1] After the war, Gilles resumed his artistic activities. He also participated in the 1926 Salon des Artistes Décorateurs in Paris.
In 1927, Gilles emigrated to Canada, arriving in Quebec City on February 10. In 1929, he moved to the United States, where he settled in Detroit.[2] He founded the Albert Gilles Studio, later renamed Cuivres d'Art Albert Gilles, or the Albert Gilles Copper Art Studio. During this time, Gilles also worked as a decorator, metal sculptor, and silversmith in Detroit, Hollywood, and Los Angeles.[2] He was then commissioned to repair gates at Havana's National Capitol before returning to Canada in 1937. Gilles also went on to set up a shop in Cowansville, Québec, where he started creating religious artwork for churches, including the Saint-Anne-de-Beaupré Shrine.[3] In 1953, Gilles moved his workshop to Château-Richer, where the Copper Art Museum still operates today.[3] Gilles died in 1979.
Works
The American Years (1929-1957): Disney, Fox Film and Chrysler
After his arrival in the US, his work was inspired by the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts, seen in Paris in 1925. He worked for multiple clients such as automotive magnates Charles Fisher and Aaron Mendelsohn of the Fisher Body Company (later General Motors), and later K.T. Keller of Chrysler.[1]
In 1933, he moved to California to work for actors and actresses such as Fredric March, Mae West, Joan, and Constance Bennett. He contributed to the decoration of various residences for Sol M. Wurtzel of the Fox Film Corporation, and for Walt and Roy Oliver Disney.[1][2] He also worked on the Los Angeles Times Building.
In 1957, he created four doors weighing one thousand pounds each for the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles in his Château-Richer workshop.[4]
The Canadian Years (1937-1979): Religious Art and Murals
In 1937, ten years after first arriving in Quebec, Gilles returned and permanently settled there. In 1941, he had an exhibition of 50 panels in 1941 depicting the life of Christ. This was followed by a Papal commission in 1942 to design and produce a chalice and paten for the mass celebrating Montreal's 300th anniversary.[5]
He also worked on the copper roof of Château Frontenac, and the doors of the basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré.[2]
In 1942, he gained international recognition when he was commissioned by Pope Pius XII to create a silver chalice for the Archdiocese of Montreal.[1]
Work on Gilles' Christorama exhibit, devoted to the life of Jesus Christ, began in the 1930s and took 15 years to complete.[2] The project, commissioned by Aaron Mendelsohn of General Motors to honour Mendelsohn's late wife, continued even after Mendelsohn's death, at which time only 40 of the reliefs were finished. Gilles decided to complete and retain the remaining reliefs.[6]
Gilles contributed decorative elements to over 30 churches across the Canadian provinces of Quebec, New Brunswick, and Ontario, as well as in the United States and Jamaica.[1] His artwork is displayed in several chapels and numerous parish churches, often illustrating biblical scenes and assembled to create murals.
References
- ^ a b c d e f g "Our History". Cuivres d’Art Albert Gilles. Retrieved 2024-02-16.
- ^ a b c d e f "Biography".
- ^ a b "A. Gilles metal works - Monument de la Reconnaissance au 21e siècle". mr21.ca. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
- ^ "The Bronze Doors". First Congregational Church of Los Angeles. Retrieved Feb 23, 2024.
- ^ "Recognition of His Talent". Our Story | Albert Gilles Art Brass. Retrieved Feb 23, 2024.
- ^ "Christorama". Christorama, as displayed in a room distinct from the family boutique. Retrieved Feb 23, 2024.