Louis Vassor (1888-1968) 32"x14" Joseph, Port-de-Paix c1930 Oil on Canvas Framed Under Glass Painting #2CZ
Louis Vassor (1888-1968) 32"x14" Joseph, Port-de-Paix c1930 Oil on Canvas Framed Under Glass Painting #2CZ
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Description
Description
This rare 19th-century Haitian oil on masonite by Louis Vassor depicts a compelling coastal scene from Port-de-Paix, Haiti, centered on a laborer identified by the inscription “Joseph.” The commanding foreground figure strides along a shoreline path, carrying tools. In contrast, a secondary figure follows behind, balancing a load, creating an evocative portrayal of endurance and daily life along Haiti’s northern coast. Sailboats drift on the horizon beneath an expansive sky, and wind-shaped trees frame the cliffside, anchoring the scene in a specific landscape and atmosphere. Executed with directness and restraint, the painting reflects early Haitian visual storytelling, where gesture, environment, and quiet narrative take precedence over embellishment. The tall vertical format lends monumentality to the central figure, giving the work a strong presence and a distinctly documentary character. The inscriptions “Joseph” and “Port-de-Paix, Haiti” further reinforce its cultural and historical significance. The artwork is in poor to fair condition with visible age-related wear, including surface abrasions, cracking, paint loss, and discoloration consistent with a 19th-century work. It is framed under glass and is sold as-is; conservation is recommended. The painting comes from a private collector in Canada and will be shipped directly from the collection. Myriam Nader Haitian Art Gallery will issue a Certificate of Authenticity upon purchase.
About this artist
About this artist
Louis Vassor (December 20, 1888–August 15, 1968) was a Haitian painter, educator, and cultural figure born in Port-de-Paix. He began his classical studies in his hometown. He continued in Port-au-Prince at the Saint-Louis de Gonzague institution, where he received his first instruction in drawing and painting. The death of his father in 1902 forced him to return to the northwest of Haiti. Soon after settling in Saint-Louis-du-Nord, Vassor founded a small drawing and painting school offering free classes, collaborating with the painter Alfred Austin. Vassor was a keen observer of the major events shaping early twentieth-century Haiti. His work reflects an awareness of political resistance movements, including the struggle against foreign occupation and the epic of Charlemagne Péralte. In the 1920s, he was appointed photographer at the Haitian consulate in Santiago de Cuba, where he witnessed firsthand the large-scale migration of Haitian cane cutters. This experience deepened his social consciousness. Later, President Sténio Vincent appointed Vassor as director of the Port-au-Prince Learning Center, where he further developed his expertise in craftsmanship. He mastered frame weaving and various techniques using latanier leaves, integrating artisanal knowledge into his broader cultural practice. In 1946, he returned to Port-de-Paix and was appointed assistant inspector, then inspector, at the city’s labor office. During this period, he personally funded the creation of an adult education school and opened a painting school for young artists. Among those he trained were Clerveaux Auguste, Ambert Saint-Doux, Anthony Vassor, and his nephew. Louis Vassor’s work occupies a singular place in Haitian art history, bridging fine art, education, and social engagement. His paintings are considered rare on the art market, valued for both their historical significance and their role in shaping generations of Haitian artists.
