Saint-Pierre Toussaint

Saint-Pierre Toussaint was a farmer and gardener for most of his life.  He was born in Kenscoff, Haiti in 1923, started painting in 1972 and passed away in 1985.  He only practiced his art for 13 years, yet he has left a rich legacy.  He was fortunate to work for the eminent Haitian architect, Albert Mangones, who produced the world-famous statue, “The Unknown Slave.”  Toussaint was a gardener and was drawn to paint by observing one of Mangones’ guest, Michèle Manuel.  The core of Toussaint’s inspiration was his world as a farmer.  He painted flowers, vegetables, birds with clear-cut shapes and used primary colors as showcased in “Birds.”  He sometimes added a touch of his country’s main religion with the addition of Voodoo images and symbolism.  He was not trained as an artist and his simple style was disregarded during his lifetime, but has since been acclaimed and recognized for his exuberance and creativity.  In a country which, over the centuries, has been troubled by poverty and power struggles, Toussaint’s paintings portray peaceful beauty and rustic charm.  Saint-Pierre Toussaint’s work has been shown in Haiti and was part of the Haitian Art exhibition organized in the Brooklyn Museum in 1978.


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