Morisset, Gérard, 1878-1970

Gérard Morisset, born in Cap Santé, has been considered the father of art history in Quebec. He had studied to become a notary at Université Laval, graduating in 1922 and practising for a few years before realizing that his real calling was in art and its history. He headed for Paris first to study architecture, then art history at the École du Louvre, graduating in 1934. On his return in 1935, he became provincial director for the teaching of design in Quebec. In 1937 he undertook an inventory of art works in the province of Quebec, a project completed posthumously in 1969. In 1951 he became secretary of the new Commission des monuments historiques du Québec, then in 1953, the director of the Musée du Quebec. He published 16 books and more than 300 articles.