Jacques Enguerrand Gourgue 36"x48" Ritual Landscape with Figures and Beasts c1960 Oil on Board #32-2-96GN-HA
Jacques Enguerrand Gourgue 36"x48" Ritual Landscape with Figures and Beasts c1960 Oil on Board #32-2-96GN-HA
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Description
Description
Ritual Landscape with Figures and Beasts (1960) by Jacques Enguerrand Gourgue presents a haunting, symbolic environment in which human, animal, and mythic forms coexist within a charged, dreamlike terrain. Set against an undulating landscape of mountains, barren trees, and glowing celestial elements, the composition unfolds as a psychological and spiritual tableau rather than a literal scene. Nude and hybrid figures occupy the foreground, their elongated bodies intertwined with animal forms including horned creatures and bovine heads. A central fire pit anchors the composition, suggesting ritual, sacrifice, or transformation, while surrounding elements—stones, vessels, skeletal trees, and web-like structures—reinforce a sense of tension between creation and decay. Gourgue’s figures appear suspended between states of being, evoking themes of metamorphosis, vulnerability, and ancestral memory. Executed in a muted yet expressive palette of earth tones, ochres, greens, and deep reds, the painting exemplifies Gourgue’s mature surrealist language. His precise yet fluid handling of form allows symbolic elements to merge seamlessly, creating a landscape that feels both internal and cosmic. The distorted spatial relationships and allegorical imagery place the work firmly within the canon of Haitian modernist surrealism, while maintaining Gourgue’s distinct philosophical and introspective voice. Ritual Landscape with Figures and Beasts stands as a compelling example of mid-20th-century Haitian modern art, engaging with existential themes, myth, and the subconscious. The work is particularly suited for collectors of Caribbean modernism, surrealist painting, and historically significant narrative works. The painting dates to 1960 and is in good condition. It is executed on board. Upon purchase, Myriam Nader Art Gallery will proudly issue a Certificate of Authenticity.
About this artist
About this artist
J.E. Gourgue (1931–1996) was a Haitian painter born in Port-au-Prince and is widely regarded as one of the leading figures of modern Haitian painting. He joined the Centre d’Art in 1947, where he quickly distinguished himself through a deeply personal and expressive visual language that set him apart from his contemporaries. Gourgue developed a highly recognizable style that combines elements of expressionism and surrealism. His paintings often depict Haitian mountain landscapes populated by skeletal trees, peasant figures, rural huts, and Vodou symbolism, rendered in a haunting and introspective manner. These recurring motifs reflect both the physical environment of Haiti and the psychological tension embedded in its social and spiritual life. His use of drawing, light, and color conveys an intense emotional charge and a sense of inner struggle. Haitian art critic Gérald Alexis noted in Peintres Haïtiens that Gourgue’s “determination enabled him to become a master of Expressionism through his drawing, light and color effect,” while Peinture Haïtienne describes his work as reflecting “an anguished man’s sense of the tragic.” These assessments underscore the existential depth and emotional gravity that define his oeuvre. Gourgue’s work achieved significant international recognition during his lifetime. His paintings were exhibited in major institutions, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and were presented at leading auction houses such as Sotheby’s and Christie’s. He exhibited widely throughout Europe, North America, and Latin America. Today, J.E. Gourgue remains a central figure in the history of modern Haitian art, valued for his originality, emotional intensity, and lasting influence.
