- Date of publication 12-16-2004 On Thursday the 28th October 2004 the public library in Domfront held an exhibition of the works of Sister Jeanne Dupont, alias, Yvain Marnier, on the second anniversary of her death.
On Thursday the 28th October 2004 the public library in Domfront held an exhibition of the works of Sister Jeanne Dupont, alias, Yvain Marnier, on the second anniversary of her death. This religious from the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Evron spent more than fifty years in Domfront where many generations had her as professor of music and art. After entering the noviciate of the Sisters of Evron, she made profession on the 12th August 1932 and, the following September she was sent to the « Ange Gardien » boarding school in Domfront. There she taught music, art and even Latin. She prepared wonderful festivities including theatre and choral singing. She composed the text in verse and the music; she made the scenery and was responsible for the production. The theatre company she formed travelled around Domfront under the name « Pioneers of Our Lady ». For Sister Jeanne this was the perfect opportunity to give a the young people a human, artistic, and intellectual training, opening them to the world of arts, a esthetic, and a love for life. Gifted for drawing, she was only able to train properly after 1955. She went to Paris, to the ABC School where the teachers heaped praise and encouragement on her. From 1964 onwards, she presented her first achievements at the « Salon des Indépendants » in Paris. She became a member in1970. She also exhibited in Flers with the « Peintres du Bocage » and received in, 1982, the first prize from the town of Flers. Sister Jeanne painted the manor houses around Domfront with great realism. She also painted « still life » pictures which were much admired, as were her well known « Trompe l’oeil » paintings.
Many of her past pupils came to admire her canvasses. They were pleased to recall in this meeting place, many of the happy and sometimes amusing memories of their school days. They paid homage to Sister Jeanne who, in class times, they often found demanding but whose competence and kindness had helped form a part of their personalities. They acknowledge that they are indebted to her for their appreciation of all that is beautiful and of a job well done.
Mr Romande, representing Mr Desgrippes who was absent, emphasised that Sister Jeanne was « a woman who acted freely, was free in her art and he appreciated that her Congregation had left her free to practise her art ».Her younger brother, who is over eighty, her brother in law and several of their children insisted on taking part in this event in honour of their relative whose talent and kindness they admired and appreciated.
In a letter to the Superior General, Mr Dupont thanked her « for having agreed to organise this event ». « It is primarily to honour Sister Jeanne, but also the community of the sisters of Charity without whom sister‚s talent would not have developed so fully or become known to the public. »
Photo: Mr Dupont thanks the organisers
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