Philomé Obin

(1891-1986)
and the Obin Family of Painters

Philomé Obin, a cultured and gentle man whose revered works made him a celebrity throughout Europe and the United States, is considered by many to be the "other" genius of Haitian art alongside Hector Hyppolite. The two artists' styles couldn't be more different. Precise and detailed are the words most often used to describe the work of Obin, whose cool colors and clean lines inspired a school of art in Haiti's North. Passionate about the history of Haiti and its telling on canvas, Obin was the first artist to capture Dewitt Peters' attention with his painting depicting the evacuation of American Troops from Cap Haïtien by order of President Roosevelt. So impressed was Peters that he eventually asked Obin to start an annex to the Centre d'Art in Cap Haïtien (where he was born). Cap Haïtien painters are easy to spot. Colonial architecture, history, domestic life and village scenes reign supreme instead of the Vodou-influenced works of many other painters of that early era. Others in the Obin family soon followed in Philomé's footsteps. Seneque Obin (1893-1977), Philomé's brother, tended towards the political in his paintings, with a ferocious style and hot, vivid colors. Antoine Obin (1929-1991), Philomé's son, was inspired by gentle recollections of childhood scenes and idyllic landscapes. Seneque and Antoine's works are rare and also prized and actively sought by collectors worldwide. Other family members, 13 at last count, continue in the Philomé-inspired tradition today.