Highland Park • Pittsburgh, PA 15206 • 1-412-661-1498
macondo@verizon.net

SINCE 1974

This is Room 43 C. Haitian Art by Saincilus Ismael

Ismael was born on April 24, 1940 in Petite-Riviere-de-l'Artibonite, Haiti. According to the excellent out-of-print book by Nadal-Gardere and Bloncourt, he was educated by the Friars of St. Mark and at Antenor Fermin High School. He began to paint in 1956 after visiting the Centre d'Art and The Foyer des Artes Plastques. He studied with Blas and Georges Remponeau.

He was closely associated with Doctor and Mrs. Mellon at the Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Deschapelles where he supervised the Ceramics Center. Ismael developed a style that was instantly recognizable, scenes of Haitian peasant life rendered with the intricacy and precision of a Byzantine icon. He had many students, Errol Louis and Alix Dorleus among them. In an Ismael painting, every garment of a subject's clothing would be a different geometric pattern, as would the houses and the trees. Ismael died suddenly in February 2000.

It is said in Haiti that Ismael's output grew tenfold after his death. The outdoor galleries in Port-au-Prince are showing hundreds and hundreds of fake Ismaels so be very careful when buying one that seems to be bargain priced. Chances are good that it is a fake. The ones below are authentic because they come from Deschappeles where Ismael worked. In fact you will find the best Ismaels and the best selection of Artibonite painters in general at The Friends of HAS. If you purchase art from them you will be benefitting Haiti directly as they have been doing essential work there since 1954.

HAITIAN ART:FOOD FOR THE SPIRIT®
#SIEL3. Sancilus Ismael
" Paradise"
24x36" Oil on canvas.
1991 $4000, framed in gold.
SALE! $3200

* This is a wonderful Ismael. It was acquired by the present owner at an Eye Care/L'Hopital Albert Schweitzer benefit in Pittsburgh in 1991. The painting was supplied by Gwen Mellon, Ismael's chief patron for decades. It is, as are all the paintings we sell, absolutely authentic unlike many so-called Ismaels that are on the market today. This one is very special.

#SIEL. Saincilus Ismael.
"Danse"
24x20" Acrylic on Canvas
1991 $2400. Framed in gold

#SIEL2. Saincilus Ismael
"Jouk li Jou"
16x12" Acrylic on Canvas
1991. $1200 framed in gold.

 

 

 

 

#S1JW Sancilus Ismael
"Marche"
8x10 Oil on canvas
$600 Framed as shown

 
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