
222. 'Gnl T. Louverture'
223. 'Gnl A. Petion'
224. 'Gnl Jn Js Dessalines'
225. 'H. Christophe Roi d'Ha�ti'
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Sully
is the eldest son of S�n�que Obin and a nephew of the great Philom�.
Though
Sully is not an undistinguished painter, the chief interest in these
works is historical and comparative:
l Haitians have more reason than any other people to celebrate their
revolution and honor its leaders. Haitians did not merely overthrow a monarch or escape from onerous
taxes: they freed themselves from brutal, chattel slavery.
l The
four best�known generals of that struggle have been painted many times.
My collection includes a similar, though less imaginative treatment of
the four by
J�R Ch�ry.
In these works:
Toussaint
is shown in a French general's uniform and with a picture of Buonaparte
on the wall behind him, reflecting his alternately touching, hopeful,
and expedient allegiance to France � and his service to the French.
(Note also the inverted 'map' of Ha�ti.)
Petion,
the only mulatre among them, is shown in trappings associated
with members of his class � drapes, books, a potted plant.
Dessalines
is shown with the new Haitian flag he created by ripping the white out
of the French tricoleur.
Christophe
is shown with his great monument, the Citadelle, in the background.
Each
of these works is 9.5 by 7.5 inches. They are undated. They
come from the same 'estate sale' that brought me
S�n�que
Obin's Henry Christophe.
For a marvelous account of these men and their
times, I recommend Madison Smartt Bell's historical fiction trilogy: see
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