Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an oil painting by Philomé Obin. It dates from 1948 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Created in 1948, this oil painting on board presents a lively urban scene typical of Haitian folk art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1948, this oil painting on board presents a lively urban scene typical of Haitian folk art. The composition centers on four figures and a horse positioned before a brightly colored building, rendered with bold hues and straightforward forms that convey movement and vitality.
Subject & Meaning
The work portrays four men in matching blue attire and green hats, engaged in everyday tasks, one holds a broom, another a wheelbarrow, while a rider sits astride a horse with a red saddle. The surrounding architecture, painted in yellow, white, red, and brown, suggests a bustling street environment, reflecting ordinary life in mid‑20th‑century Haiti.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on board, the artist employs flat areas of saturated color and simplified outlines, hallmarks of the Haitian folk painting tradition. The limited palette and direct brushwork emphasize narrative clarity over illusionistic depth, creating a graphic, almost decorative quality.
History & Provenance
The painting was produced by Philomé Obin, a Haitian painter whose career spanned more than seven decades beginning in 1908. Recognized as a leading figure of 20th‑century Haitian art, Obin’s work entered the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it remains part of the institution’s holdings.
Artist & collection
Artist
Philomé Obin (July 20, 1892 – August 6, 1986) was a Haitian painter. He produced his first painting in 1908 at the age of 16, and was an active artist for 75 years. Obin is considered one of the greatest Haitian artists of the 20th century.
