Clementine Hunter

Place: Natchitoches Parish

Born: 1887

Death: 1988

Biography:

Early Life and Inspiration

Clementine Hunter

, a self-taught black folk artist, was born in late December 1886 or early January 1887 in the Cane River region of Louisiana. Her life on Melrose Plantation would later become the inspiration for her artwork.

Born into a Creole family at Hidden Hill Plantation, near Cloutierville, in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana.
She began working as a farm laborer at a young age and never learned to read or write.

Artistic Journey

In her fifties, Hunter started painting using brushes and paints left by an artist who visited Melrose Plantation. This marked the beginning of her career as an artist.

Zinnias in a Pot, one of her notable works, captures a freshly picked arrangement of zinnias, a common subject in her compositions.
Her artwork documented plantation life in the early 20th century, providing a unique perspective on a bygone era.

Notable Achievements and Recognition

Clementine Hunter

is the first African-American artist to have a solo exhibition at the present-day New Orleans Museum of Art. Her work has been exhibited in museums, and by the end of her life, her paintings were sold for thousands of dollars.

Granted an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree by Northwestern State University of Louisiana in 1986.
A new opera, Zinnias: the Life of Clementine Hunter, was presented at Montclair State University in New Jersey in 2013.

Artistic Style and Legacy

Hunter's paintings are characterized by their colorful and straightforward scenes, often depicting outdoor activities and still lifes. Her unique style has made her one of the most well-known self-taught artists.

Melrose Quilt, a notable piece, showcases her ability to create art beyond painting.
Her work has been admired for its palette and expressive force, rarely exceeding 18 by 24 inches in size.