Prefete Duffaut (Haitian/Jacmel, 1923-2012)
Araignee Spider Tree, dated 1951
Oil on canvas, 29 3/4 x 21 inches
Framed dimensions: 30 1/2 x 22 inches

Provenance:
Bob Brictson Estate

Illustrated: Brictson Gallery Catalog, Prefete Duffaut, Paintings by Prefete Duffaut/1947-2002

This sale has 12 Duffaut paintings illustrated from this catalog. The following quote was written by Dr. Brictson:

"He is famous for his imaginary cities, and icons of Vodou deities. This group of paintings depicts patron spirits, demons, protectresses, biblical themes, ceremonies, landscapes, harbors and fantasies and are part of the collection of Dr. Robert C. Brictson who has had a gallery/home in Jacmel since 1973”

Lot Essay:
Duffaut is a poet and spiritualist who had been a carpenter and worked with his father as a shipbuilder before becoming a painter. His early focus on Haiti's maritime history is infused with Vodou imagery. After meeting Rigaud Benoit, Hector Hyppolite's son-in-law, who was visiting Jacmel in 1944, Duffaut would join the Centre d'Art, Port-au-Prince, in 1948. Duffaut is renowned for his visionary scenes of imaginary cities.