About the Library

Marble Busts of Sir Étienne-Paschal Taché and John Sandfield Macdonald

The marble busts of Sir Étienne-Paschal Taché and John Sandfield Macdonald are part of the Library of Parliament’s collection of decorative artworks. The busts of these Province of Canada politicians have been on permanent display inside the Library since it opened in 1876.

Sir Étienne-Paschal Taché, a former Premier of the Province of Canada, represented the electoral district of L’Islet. First elected in 1841 after a career in medicine, Taché also held several Cabinet posts, was appointed legislative councillor and was Speaker of the Legislative Council. He presided over the Quebec Conference in 1864. His bust was likely commissioned by the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada after his death in 1865. French artist Roland Mathieu-Meusnier sculpted the bust in Paris sometime between 1865 and 1867.

Taché is depicted in his Speaker’s gown and a coat, waistcoat, and cravat. The bust stands atop a square marble socle, which is a short sculpted base.

John Sandfield Macdonald was also a former Premier of the Province of Canada. First elected in 1841 like Taché, he represented the electoral district of Glengarry. Macdonald also held the posts of Solicitor General and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. He was the first Premier of Ontario after Confederation. The Macdonald bust is unsigned and undated. It has been attributed to English artist Marshall Wood, however, because its material and artistic composition are similar to other works by Wood. The bust was likely completed sometime between 1871 and 1873 during Wood’s stay in Canada. It has also been speculated that the bust was produced as a tribute to Macdonald after his death in 1872.

Macdonald is depicted in classical or Roman-style drapery and sporting impressive sideburns. The bust sits on a cylindrical marble socle.

Both works of art are unique – there are no known copies. Currently, the busts are safely crated and being stored during the rehabilitation of Centre Block.

Details

• The bust of Sir Étienne-Paschal Taché measures 83 cm high, 62.2 cm wide and 38.1 cm deep.
• The bust of John Sandfield Macdonald measures 76 cm high, 49.5 cm wide and 28 cm deep.
• According to the Supplementary Estimates of 1866, the Legislative Assembly set aside $500 “to procure a bust of Sir E.P. Taché, for the Parliament House.”
• Roland Mathieu-Meusnier (1824–1896), who signed his works as Mathieu-Meusnier, was born in Paris, France. He studied at the famous École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and sculpted many notable people of his time.
• The Library has two other works sculpted by Marshall Wood: the statue of Queen Victoria and the marble portrait busts of the Prince and Princess of Wales.