Michèle Manuel (Haitian,1935-2022)

Michèle Manuel (1935–October 14, 2022) was a Haitian painter born in Port-au-Prince, recognized for rhythmic draftsmanship, flattened color, and a distinctive style that avoids traditional shading. She began drawing in Haiti and continued her artistic training abroad, studying in 1953 at the Academy of Drawings and Painting in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In 1954, she further pursued her education at the University of Rochester, strengthening her technical foundation and expanding her artistic outlook. From 1970 to 1978, Manuel exhibited widely in Haiti, the United States, and the Dominican Republic, gaining recognition for a visual language defined by clarity, structure, and decorative rhythm. In 1981, a jury of eminent Haitian art figures selected one of her paintings, The Market, to be reproduced as a Haitian postage stamp—an important public honor that reflects her national cultural relevance. Beyond her painting career, Manuel was also a significant civic and cultural advocate. She was the prime mover behind the restoration of one of Port-au-Prince’s most iconic “gingerbread” houses, now known as the Defly Museum. Profits from the museum support the Haitian Association for Handicapped Children, reflecting her commitment to preserving Haitian heritage while contributing to social causes. Manuel was also associated with the group Women Painters, a key network highlighting female artistic voices in Haiti. As Haitian art critic Gérald Alexis noted in Peintres Haïtiens, “Manuel’s draftsmanship and style without shading inject a rhythm into all her work,” underscoring the dynamic structure and visual cadence that characterize her paintings. Michèle Manuel remains an important figure in modern Haitian art, remembered for both her artistic clarity and her cultural leadership. Scroll down to make your selection (s)!