Michèle Manuel (Haitian,1935-2022)

Michèle Manuel (1935–October 14, 2022) was a Haitian painter born in Port-au-Prince, known for her rhythmic draftsmanship, flattened color, and distinctive style without traditional shading. She studied in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and later at the University of Rochester, developing a clear and structured visual language. Her work is recognized for its decorative rhythm and compositional clarity, often depicting scenes of Haitian life with balance and precision. Between 1970 and 1978, she exhibited widely in Haiti, the United States, and the Dominican Republic. In 1981, her painting The Market was selected to appear on a Haitian postage stamp, reflecting her national cultural significance. Manuel was also active in preserving Haitian heritage and was associated with the Women Painters group. Today, she is regarded as an important figure in modern Haitian art, with works appreciated by collectors for their elegance and structure. Michèle Manuel remains an important figure in modern Haitian art, remembered for both her artistic clarity and her cultural leadership. Explore available works below.