Hector Hyppolite (Haitian,1894-1948)


Hector Hyppolite (1894–1948) was a Haitian painter widely regarded as one of the most important figures in Haitian art and a leading master of the naïve tradition. Born in Haiti on September 16, 1894, he came from a family of Vodou priests, and his work is deeply rooted in Haitian spirituality and cultural symbolism. Hyppolite began painting later in life and quickly gained international recognition. In 1946, Surrealists André Breton and Wifredo Lam championed his work, and in 1947 UNESCO exhibited his paintings in Paris. Encouraged by Centre d’Art founder DeWitt Peters, he established himself in Port-au-Prince, producing a powerful body of work using brushes, fingers, and even chicken feathers. Today, Hyppolite is considered a foundational figure of modern Haitian art, and his paintings remain highly sought after by collectors worldwide. Explore available works below.