Wilson Bigaud
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A
young man at a crowded upper-class Haitian swimming pool attracts
attention. We see him only from the back in a Magritte-like pose.
Transfixed expressions of some of the nubile bare-breasted bathing
beauties and one man with his hands down his pants give us a clue that
the mystery man is special.
This is a fascinating work packed with drama and overflowing with pent-up emotion.
Bigaud's
narrative is as complex as his figural composition of lookers and
swimmers. Notice the sight lines of the lookers go back to front while
the two swimmers go from left to right. The twenty-two figures are
contained in the rectangular shape of the pool, which is pushed to the
front of the picture plane. The cars of the pool partygoers are seen in
the background with one witness. He is fully clothed and is most likely a
chauffeur. The fully clothed female at the pool offering food is a
servant. A boxy-looking radio with a pack of cigarettes and the style of
the cars give glue to the date. Most Haitian art depicts average
working people. The pool party departs from that tradition and shows
life of the Haitian upper class. Most likely, this was painted in
Petion-Ville. The higher the elevation in Port-au-Prince the more
wealthy the homes. Although the artist's painting technique may be
described as naive or lacking polish. It's one of the reasons why the
work radiates charm and interest.
The painting is oversized with huge dimensions of 55 x 48 and will be
a statement in any room. Wilson Bigaud is considered to be a Haitian
master. The condition is good. Three repaired one-inch issues on the
extreme center and upper right edge. Visible only on close inspection.
Otherwise presents very well and is elegantly framed,