Hector Hyppolite

(Haitian, 1894-1948)

Chémen Grésié

oil on board

signed H. Hyppolite (lower right); also titled (lower left)

23 3/4 x 30 1/4 in. (60.3 x 76.8cm)

This lot is located in Philadelphia.

Provenance:

Collection of Robert and Virginia Ruark, New York, New York; and Palamos, Spain.

A gift from the above.

Collection of Jack and Annie Mary Webb.

By descent in the family to the present owner.

Lot Note:

Robert Ruark, an internationally known writer and novelist often referred to as “the poor man’s Hemingway,” likely collected the present painting on the advice of his friend Truman Capote. The American writer had discovered the work of Hector Hyppolite in the mid-1940s during a stay in Haiti, admiring the artist's ability to channel "his country’s spiritual history" on canvas (Congdon, 2002, p.109).

In overall very good condition. There is light wear to the edges of the board, presumably from contact with the frame, as well as softening at all four corners. With some craquelure in the darker brown areas, as well as a few small areas of surface loss. Additional images available upon request.

The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.

The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.

Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

To request further details about this lot, please email [email protected]

Raphaël Chatroux

VP, Head of Department, Impressionist & Modern Art

[email protected]267.414.1253

Raphaël Chatroux is the Head of Department for Freeman's Impressionist & Modern Art.

Chatroux joined Freeman’s in 2016 as a Fine Art department intern. Later that year, he was the Samuel M. Freeman II Fellowship recipient and was promoted to cataloguer. Since his arrival, he has developed an expertise for a wide range of American and European art. He worked closely with Chairman Alasdair Nichol on the successful sales of The Collections of Heidi Bigham Stott in 2020 and The Peltz Collection of Pennsylvania Impressionists in 2021. Chatroux is associated with recent world records obtained for artists Cecilia Beaux, Emma Fordyce McRae, and Bo Bartlett. He was also instrumental in the acquisition of a Berthe Morisot oil painting by the Musée Marmottan Monet in Paris. As a native of France, Chatroux has worked in various art centers in Paris including Hôtel Drouot, where he oversaw auctions of fine wine and good spirits and the Palace of Versailles, where he conceived and curated several bilingual audio-guide tours. Chatroux graduated from Paris-Sorbonne University with a degree in art history; he also holds a master’s degree in art law.

Impressionist and Modern Art

Chémen Grésié

Lot Description

Condition Report

Preview

Auction Contact

Shipping | Pickup