Pierre Trudeau

Pierre Elliott Trudeau, represented in this stipple portrait, was a constitutional lawyer and Prime Minister of Canada from 1968-79. He was then elected again through 1980-84. Trudeau was the son of a successful French Canadian businessman and a Scottish mother. Educated at the Jesuit Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf, he also attended Université de Montréal. Also part of his education were the Harvard and London School of Economics. As well he travelled extensively in his youth.

PIERRE TRUDEAU – STIPPLE PORTRAIT

Pierre Trudeau

PIERRE TRUDEAU is currently owned by the late Prime Minister’s son Justin Trudeau. This work from Claydon Fine Arts hangs in the Trudeau Foundation in Montreal. PIERRE TRUDEAU was one of the most well received pieces to be done by our feature stipple artist Todd Claydon. This landed him his place as one of the finer portrait artists of our generation.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau (October 18, 1919 – September 28, 2000) was usually known as Pierre Trudeau or P.E.T. He was the 15th Prime Minister of Canada from 1968 to 1979. He was again Prime Minister from 1980 to 1984.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau began his political career campaigning for socialist ideals. He eventually joined the Liberal Party of Canada when he entered federal politics in the 1960s. Pierre Trudeau was appointed as Lester Pearson’s Parliamentary Secretary then later became his Minister of Justice. Pierre Trudeau took control of the Liberal Party and became a charismatic leader inspiring “Trudeaumania”.

Since the late 1960s Pierre Trudeau dominated the Canadian political scene and aroused mixed reactions. “Reason before passion” was Pierre Trudeau’s personal motto. He retired from politics in 1984.

Notably, Trudeau welcomed John Lennon into the country and met with him. This came at a time when Lennon was being barred from entry into the United States. Trudeau was also a family friend with Fidel Castro who attended his funeral in 2000. It was learned that he was hated by the Nixon government. Also that the FBI had been keeping an extensive file on him.

Pierre Trudeau’s son Justin has followed in his father’s footsteps and is currently a Member of Parliament.

Justin Trudeau & Portrait Artist Todd Claydon

Justin Trudeau & Todd Claydon in Montreal 2004

“Meeting with Justin Trudeau was quite the experience. If ever there was a true royal family in Canada it was the Trudeau family. I was pleasantly surprised spending some unplanned time with Justin. Being there to witness his first true impression of the Pierre Trudeau portrait was very touching.”