Clementine Hunter (American/Louisiana, 1886-1988) , "Pecan Picking", oil on board, monogrammed lower

Clementine Hunter (American/Louisiana, 1886-1988) , "Pecan Picking", oil on board, monogrammed lower right, artist biography on backing paper, 16 in. x 20 in., framed, overall 19 1/4 in. x 23 1/4 in. x 1 in. Note: BorNote: Born near the end of 1886 on the notorious Hidden Hill Plantation in Marco, Louisiana, Hunter moved to nearby Melrose Plantation in 1902 and worked in a variety of positions from cotton picker to housekeeper and cook. The plantation was owned by John and Cammie Henry and later, after the death of John, Mrs. Henry retained the property and continued to plant, sell crops and maintain the grounds. Melrose thrived under her care, and Mrs. Henry became known for her dedication to the arts and for her collection of historic and culturally significant items. She often hosted social gatherings for artists and writers, and Clementine Hunter, at the time a cook at Melrose, came across leftover paints and found inspiration to create her first paintings in the late 1930s or early 1940s. During this same period, François Mignon arrived at Melrose Plantation for a six-week visit that turned into a three decade long stay. He became the plantation's historian and befriended Clementine Hunter. With both Mignon and Henry encouraging Hunter to paint, she became committed to her art, creating not only beautiful small-scale paintings on canvas and board, but also large-scale murals which decorated the structures on the property.Hunter’s compositions reflected daily life at Melrose, and in her thick brushstrokes and strong primary colors, she documented the lively scenes that surrounded her from the labor-intensive cotton harvesting and pecan picking to the leisurely pursuits of Saturday nights at the juke joint. Hunter’s unique style and vision captured an integral part of southern history, and she was well-recognized in her lifetime for her artistic achievements with many exhibitions. Like so many artists, she had an intense desire to create, and her subsequent oeuvre is one that continues to receive global recognition and accolades to this day. Ref.: Gilley, Shelby R. Painting by Heart: The Life and Art of Clementine Hunter, Louisiana Folk Artist. Baton Rouge: St. Emma Press, 2000; Wilson, James. Clementine Hunter: American Folk Artist. Gretna: Pelican Publishing, 1988; The Journal of François Mignon: 1957, from the François Mignon papers, #M-3889 in the Southern Historical Collection, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, pp. 88-90. Note: This lot has been authenticated by renowned Clementine Hunter expert Tom Whitehead.
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