Crucifixion

An original painting
by Seymour E Bottex

Circa 1965 - 20 inches x 24 inches

Oil on Masonite; Framed.

In Bottex's rendition of the aftermath of Christ's crucifixion, a Haitian Ra-Ra passes below Jesus on the cross. (Ra-Ra is a traditional Easter-time procession/celebration in Haiti.) The artist's bright pallet, and the joyous enthusiasm of the RaRa participants, give a decidedly Haitian spin on what is usually depicted as a somber event.

We hang this painting relatively high, with the RaRa at eye level. This draws a viewer's first attention to the procession, and emphasizes that the crucifixion towers above it.

Condition: There is a slight bump to the top-right corner of the masonite from before the painting was framed, otherwise the painting is flawless, bright as the day it was completed.

Provenance: James S. Huffman Collection
James S. Huffman had a distinguished 35-year career in the United States Foreign Service. A serious collector of primitive and naive art, he sought pieces local to the regions where he served. From 1963-1965, Huffman was posted to the Dominican Republic. From there, he often went to Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, where he purchased more than 50 paintings, many of them from Le Centre d'Art and Galerie Issa.