Adrien Hébert was known for his classical modernism. He had an interest in urban subjects - and often painted Montreal’s harbour and city streets.

Hébert was the son of Louis-Philippe Hébert, a renowned Montreal sculptor and was the brother of sculptor Henri Hébert. He was born in Paris, and spent his childhood there, while his father was engaged to produce bronze castings for historical monuments. His early years were spent carving horses, boats and engines out of wood.

Hébert studied from 1902 to 1911 at the Counsel des arts et manufactures in Montreal, under Joseph Saint-Charles, Edmond Dyonnet and Joseph-Charles Franchère. He also studied under William Brymner at the Art Association of Montreal from 1907 to 1911. At the age of 22, his father enrolled him in the class of noted historical and archeological painter, Fernand Cormon in Paris, but Hébert was often truant, instead spending his time along the Seine River watching the ships and the bustle of the city. It was not until he discovered the work of Impressionists such as Claude Monet and Alfred Sisley, that he seriously turned to painting.

Hébert maintained strong ties with Paris, returning there on numerous occasions, but grounded himself in Montreal, where he opened a studio. In 1909 he exhibited for the first time at the Art Association of Montreal, and continued to do so regularly until 1954. In 1914, he began to teach drawing at the Montreal Academic Commission, and he continued to teach there for 35 years. In 1916, Hébert completed a series of portraits that were displayed at the Saint-Suplice Library in Montreal. He later showed in 1919 at the Cercle Universitaire. In 1931 he exhibited his paintings at Galerie A. Barreiro Paris and was praised by Le Journal Paris for his realism, soft tones and the poetry of his colour palette. He held an exhibition of his work in 1931 at the Arts Club of Montreal. In 1932 he was elected an Associate of the Royal Canadian Academy and became a full member in 1941. He mounted an exhibition of 32 canvases in 1936 at the Watson Art Galleries. A third of these works were scenes of Montreal’s harbour, which were praised by The Gazette for their lively drama and complicated designs. In 1949, Hébert exhibited with Robert Pilot at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, and in 1951 he showed again at the Cercle Universitaire.

Hébert’s work was awarded the Jessie Dow prize twice: the first time in 1936 for Winter Morning; and the second time in 1940. His work was included in the collection of the National Gallery of Canada, which purchased The Covent Gardens in 1939. The painting had previously been shown at the Tate Gallery in London in 1938. The Art Association of Montreal purchased Hébert’s canvas Market Scene, Place Jacques Cartier in 1939. His work was also included in the collections of Le Hâvre Museum, France, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of the Province of Quebec and the Museum at Nimes, France. A major memorial exhibition was organized in 1971 after his death by the National Gallery of Canada.