Artist: Elifaite Charles
Theme: Portrait, Historical
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Dimensions: 28 x 31
 
--- 
 
Elifaite Charles honors Jean Jacques Dessalines, the lieutenant of Toussaint Louverture, one of the prominent generals and founding fathers, who led the revolution in Haiti. A staunch resister of slavery, who wanted equality and freedom for his fellow Haitians. After expelling the French colonizers, he proclaimed the entire island as an independent country under the name of Ayiti (Haiti). Dessalines adopted the title of emperor as the first leader of the free nation. Here, he is painted in a bright, regal red military uniform, illustrating his high stature and legacy.