Oil on canvas
In this painting, we see a family of five, including a mother, father, a daughter, a son, and a breastfeeding baby. The family unit is centered in the middle of the page, all facing inwards towards each other with clear expressions of love on their faces. They are all wearing beautiful patterned clothing in vibrant shades of blue, orange, and red. Surrounding them on all sides is tropical foliage: palms, ferns, large flowers. The foliage and the family sit within an oval framing surrounded by gold designs that gives the whole scene a sort of halo, reminiscent of the Byzantine saint icons that influenced the artist, Sainculus Ismael. This piece is typical of Ismael’s work and beautifully demonstrates the Artibonite style he originated. Artibonite style is characterized by intricate geometric detailing often painted onto black surfaces to emphasize the colors and shapes. Ismael often painted religious-themed scenes that combined Christianity and Vodou. In this painting, Ismael’s distinctive style causes our Haitian country family to take on an air of profound sanctity. Why do you think Ismael chose to portray the holiness of the family unit rather than a single person?
Artist Bio: Saincilus Ismael was born in 1940 in Petite Riviere de L'Artibonite. Ismael began drawing at age seven, then began to paint in 1956 after visiting the Centre d'Art and Foyer des Arts Plastiques. In 1967 he led a group of artists commissioned to paint the exposition hall at the Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Deschapelles. He later became the director of the Ceramic Centre there. Ismael is considered the originator of the Artibonite style of painting. He died in 2000.
