Introducing: Jean-Baptiste Roy-Audy (1778-1848)

Jean-Baptiste Roy-Audy was born in Quebec City, and had trained as a carpenter's apprentice under his father.  Roy-Audy continued the family tradition by opening his own workshop in 1802, practicing woodworking, cabinet making, wheel making, as well as carriage and sign painting.  Trouble with the business by 1816 led to bankruptcy and closure.  It was at this time that Roy-Audy devoted himself purely to painting.  He took on his own apprentice and went into business selling portraits, miniatures, history paintings, and taught classes in drawing.  He was very active in producing a number of religious works for the Church, however; many of his portraits date from 1833-34 when he had moved to Montreal.  Little is known of Roy-Audy after his Montreal period, and his death is speculated to have occurred in 1848.

Jean-Baptiste Roy-Audy, Marie-Francois Blobensky,
c. 1812-1815, oil on canvas

Jean-Baptiste Roy-Audy, Madame Louis Leandre Lemaitre-Auger
1838, oil on canvas, 67 x 56.5 cm

Jean-Baptiste Roy-Audy, Jean-Baptiste-Rene Hertel de Rouville,
c. 1830-1840, oil on canvas, 64.8 x 55.2 cm