Thaddée Lebel’s photographs are of the highest artistic quality. As well as documenting these municipal garage workers’ tasks, this image illustrates the photographer’s meticulous technique. Lebel used the dark ambience of the carpenter’s workshop and the light streaming in from the right to play with strong contrasts.

1920 - 1929

Thaddée Lebel, a pioneer of photography in Québec City

Québec City has inspired many a photographer. One of the best known is Thaddée Lebel. Born in Québec City in 1874, he began his career at the Livernois Studio in 1888. From 1913 onwards, he built a solid reputation as an independent photographer. The provincial secretariat and archives, the provincial exhibition commission and the City of Québec called on him to document various events. He was also the one who took the many photographs of the construction of the Château Frontenac’s central tower. His work provides precious documentation of life in Québec City from the 1920s to the 1940s. Let’s learn more about his career!

Labourers at work in the municipal garage’s carpentry workshop

Thaddée Lebel Thaddée Lebel’s photographs are of the highest artistic quality. As well as documenting these municipal garage workers’ tasks, this image illustrates the photographer’s meticulous technique. Lebel used the dark ambience of the carpenter’s workshop and the light streaming in from the right to play with strong contrasts.

Chronoscope Can you locate this place on the map? (unilingual French for a limited time)

Depicted period: 1929

Source: Ville de Québec Document in the public domain (free of copyright) - Thaddée Lebel Fonds - Date: 1929-05-23

OPEN