Tracking down examples and detailed information on Haitian art before 1930 can be difficult. With the exception of a hard to find key text by Lerebours or Alexis, there is only an issue of Conjonction which touches upon the subject. That is what led me to Edouard Goldman, a Haitian painter and actor whose work, mostly based on past photographs or sketches (such as this), brought a lively color to the Haitian past while glorifying strong or important leaders and intellectuals. Unfortunately, the text is hard to decipher in many of his works, and the book of the exposition at the Grand Palais, which featured several of Goldman's portraits, does not feature the best reproductions.
Anyway, Goldman was trained by his father, and is one of more than a few painters whose work depicted politicians, prominent members of society, or historical figures. As a painter, his medium gave him the ability to bring color to the depiction of Haitian reality, as well as integrate text to tell a story of those depicted. For example, the above painting on the left of Toussaint Louverture quotes Lamartine, saying that Toussaint made the nation. Goldman's early 20th century portraits make the case for taking Haitian art before 1930 seriously, particularly since it represents certain themes which loom larger in later work, especially portraits of Haitian founding fathers. The quiet dignity with which Goldman imbues these portraits are a powerful assertion of national pride.
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