Cap Haitian
Essentially there are four Schools of Haitian Art. Most
of them are very influenced by a mixture of voodoo,
Catholicism and African culture. They are brightly colored,
almost fantasy expressions of life. The Cap Haitian School
is very different than most Haitian art in that it focuses
almost exclusively on history, architectural interiors and
exteriors using reasonably accurate and linear attempts at
capturing Haitian life. The Cap Haitian School rejects
voodoo and most spirituality. Instead it emphasized reality.
While not as romantic as most Haitian art we have learned to
know and love, it is perhaps the most powerful of all
schools in reflecting the real Haiti. Henri Thezume was a
master at capturing everyday Haitian life. Although a self
taught artist, he was very methodical in creating his
canvases and as a result, the viewer has a sense of being
there and being part of the scenes he depicted. They are
often times stark scenes of medical clinic,s hospital wards,
etc. But he also captured children learning and people
having fun as well as working. His interior paintings are
often dark compared to typical Haitian art where people are
always dressed in brightly colored clothes. But if you look
at a window to the outside, the florals are always bright
and the sun is always shining ... Haiti peeping through. One
of the unique characteristics of Thezume's paintings is the
unusual "hallmark" he created and used as part of his
signature ... he drew a short staircase below his signature
on each painting. When asked about the staircases, he said
that each painting brought him nearer Heaven.
Art Market 20 x 24 framed on canvas $800 SOLD Artist at Work 20 x 24 unframed on canvas Barber Shop 20 x 24 unframed on canvas $750 The Beggar 20 x 24 framed on canvas $800 Business Meeting 20 x 24 framed on canvas $800 Communion 20 x 24 framed on canvas $800 The Dance 20 x 24 framed on canvas $800 SOLD The Dentist 20 x 24 unframed on canvas $800 SOLD Teaching Girls to Sew 20 x 24 unframed on canvas $800 Learning History 20 x 24 framed on canvas $800 Maternity Check Up 20 x 24 framed on canvas $800 Nuns Teaching Children 20 x 24 framed on canvas $800 Getting Picture Taken 20 x 24 framed on canvas $800 Police Bureau 20 x 24 framed on canvas $800 Presidents Award 20 x 24 framed on canvas $800 SOLD Teaching School 20 x 24 unframed on canvas $800 Getting a Shot at the Doctors 20 x 24 framed on canvas $800 Sick Bed 20 x 24 framed on canvas $800 SOLD Slaughter House 20 x 24 framed on canvas $800 At the Store 20 x 24 framed on canvas $800 Tea Time 20 x 24 framed on canvas $800 On Trial 20 x 24 unframed on canvas $750 SOLD Hospital Ward 20 x 24 unframed on canvas Wedding Party 20 x 24 framed on canvas $800 SOLD Bath Time 16 x 20 unframed on canvas $650
