Dieudonné Cédor (Haitian, 1925-2010)

Dieudonné Cédor (March 8, 1925–September 27, 2010) was a major Haitian painter born in L’Anse-à-Veau and recognized as one of the leading figures of modern Haitian art. He joined the Centre d’Art in December 1947, where he studied under the supervision of Rigaud Benoit, who introduced him to the foundational principles of pictorial art. Dewitt Peters, founder of the Centre d’Art, quickly recognized Cédor’s talent and leadership, appointing him chief of the studio. In 1949, Cédor was selected as a member of the Centre d’Art’s administrative committee. During a period of institutional conflict between artists and management, he was elected president of the Haitian Artists Association. He later became a founding member of the Foyer des Arts Plastiques (F.D.A.P.) and served as its director from 1952 to 1956, playing a crucial role in shaping Haiti’s postwar artistic infrastructure. In 1956, alongside Luckner Lazard and Roland Dorcély, Cédor co-founded Galerie Brochette, where he remained active until 1962. In 1957, he was appointed director of the Museum of Beaux-Arts of Port-au-Prince, further cementing his influence as both an artist and cultural leader. Cédor’s work spans a wide emotional and thematic range, addressing daily life, social realities, joy, sorrow, and the tensions of the human condition. As noted by Gérald Alexis in Peintres Haïtiens, “Cédor can handle any subject expressing joy or sorrow, the splendors, and anxieties of life.” His name appears in all major reference books on Haitian art, underscoring his lasting legacy.Get the book Peintres Haitiens here!