Renowned Haitian Painter Dies of Asthma Complications

New York, February 10, 1997 -- One of Haiti's greatest and most loved painters, Prosper Pierre-Louis, died in December 1996 of complications from asthma. He was believed to be 49. Prosper lived high in the hills above Port-au-Prince and had built a large atelier near his house where he painted and also gave lessons, space and materials to budding artists.

Prosper was known for his large paintings which had vivid colors, often large bright yellow suns that appeared as human faces. His powerful renderings of bulls, especially their heads, showed the influence of vodou. An outstanding draftsman, his paintings are in the vanguard of modern Haitian art and influenced many others, including his neighbor, Dieuseul Pean and Levoy Exil. One prominent Haitian gallery owner recalled that in addition to being an outstanding artist, he was a pleasure to deal with both as a person and as a business partner.

Prosper's funeral in the Saint Pierre church in Pétionville drew many artists, patrons and friends. Several of Haiti's most prominent artists painted sections of the casket. His death at such a young age is a great loss to his family and Haitian art lovers everywhere.