February 2024 Updated Biography - confirmation that he painted the frescoes in the Cathedral of St Jacques et St Phillipe in Jacmel, Haiti
March 2023 - Three more paintings added. See the info at the bottom! Brings the total to 22!
July 2020 Another Fantastic Painting Shared - see info at bottom
March 2023 - Three more paintings added. See the info at the bottom! Brings the total to 22!
July 2020 Another Fantastic Painting Shared - see info at bottom
June 2020 A new painting has been shared. Scroll to the Bottom
March 2020 Four new paintings have been discovered. Scroll to the Bottom
December 2019 - Painting sold at auction. See it towards the bottom below
September 2019 - January 2020 A nude painting showed up Scroll towards the bottom
August 2018 Diana mentioned below offered me her painting which I purchased!
October 2017 - Just added some new paintings on the Other Haitian Painting Page. Check them out
August 2017 - Another owner just shared a painting he inherited from his Aunt. She got it from her mother in Law who bought it on a trip to Haiti many years ago. It's another version of the couple dancing. It's the 3rd to last painting at the bottom. How many differences can you see between the two painting? The size is 16x20.
January 2017 -Just added two new paintings below from other collectors. One about mid page is voodoo painting and the one at the bottom is a man on a pony. That makes an even dozen!
Gabriel Leroy (1913-1982)
Gabriel Leroy was a Haitian artist who was born David Gabriel Leroy on March 20, 1913. He had a twin brother Alexdre Leon Leroy (1913 – 19 ?). Their parents were Louis Dantes Leroy (1876 - 1943) and Emilia David (1876 – 1943). He had two older brothers Louis Daniel Leroy(1907- ) and Nicaisse Leroy (1909 – 1988), an older sister Elizabeth Suzanne Leroy (1910 – 1979), a younger sister Gertrude Hosanne Leroy (1916 -2010) (note she died 3 days after Haiti was hit by a major earthquake), and a younger brother Adrien Gaston Leroy (1917-?)/ Interestingly, Gabriel, his father and brothers went by their middle names.
Dantes Leroy was a Notary in Jacmel. Notaries at that time in Haiti not only notarized documents but also were able to prepare business and real estate contracts as well as prepare wills. He was able to provide his family more of middle-class lifestyle. In November 1951 Gabriel's son was born. He would eventually have 2 grand children.
Gabriel began painting in the 1930’s which accounts for his indigenist style of painting, but as can be seen from his early work like Morne Baguette (see below) and his Nature Morte (also below) shows he was quite accomplished. But what tourists wanted was the indigenist paintings. He sold his paintings in hotel lobbies and at stalls in various markets. He was sent to prison in the 1960’s but released when a friend who worked for the President of Haiti (likely Papa Doc) requested that he be let go (see the Nature Morte picture below.
Maurice Cadet, renowned Haitian poet and author, considered Gabriel Leroy one of the “greatest Jacmelian painters of the twentieth century” according to an article published in September 2020. According to him the frescoes in the apse of the Cathedral of St Jacque and St Phillipe in Jacmel, Haiti were painted by Gabriel Leroy . This has since been confirmed in “A History of the Catholic Church in Haiti” by Meichelet Divers. In the mid 1970’s the church was being reconstructed to repair damage done by multiple hurricanes in the 50’s and 60’s and he painted them as a gift to his city. The picture below shows how beautiful the nave was, but part of it was covered up by a curtain during a religious celebration and I have been unable to find one showing the lower portion.
Unfortunately, the Cathedral was severely damaged in the earthquake in 2010 and finally torn down in 2018.
Gabriel Leroy was a Haitian artist who was born David Gabriel Leroy on March 20, 1913. He had a twin brother Alexdre Leon Leroy (1913 – 19 ?). Their parents were Louis Dantes Leroy (1876 - 1943) and Emilia David (1876 – 1943). He had two older brothers Louis Daniel Leroy(1907- ) and Nicaisse Leroy (1909 – 1988), an older sister Elizabeth Suzanne Leroy (1910 – 1979), a younger sister Gertrude Hosanne Leroy (1916 -2010) (note she died 3 days after Haiti was hit by a major earthquake), and a younger brother Adrien Gaston Leroy (1917-?)/ Interestingly, Gabriel, his father and brothers went by their middle names.
Dantes Leroy was a Notary in Jacmel. Notaries at that time in Haiti not only notarized documents but also were able to prepare business and real estate contracts as well as prepare wills. He was able to provide his family more of middle-class lifestyle. In November 1951 Gabriel's son was born. He would eventually have 2 grand children.
Gabriel began painting in the 1930’s which accounts for his indigenist style of painting, but as can be seen from his early work like Morne Baguette (see below) and his Nature Morte (also below) shows he was quite accomplished. But what tourists wanted was the indigenist paintings. He sold his paintings in hotel lobbies and at stalls in various markets. He was sent to prison in the 1960’s but released when a friend who worked for the President of Haiti (likely Papa Doc) requested that he be let go (see the Nature Morte picture below.
Maurice Cadet, renowned Haitian poet and author, considered Gabriel Leroy one of the “greatest Jacmelian painters of the twentieth century” according to an article published in September 2020. According to him the frescoes in the apse of the Cathedral of St Jacque and St Phillipe in Jacmel, Haiti were painted by Gabriel Leroy . This has since been confirmed in “A History of the Catholic Church in Haiti” by Meichelet Divers. In the mid 1970’s the church was being reconstructed to repair damage done by multiple hurricanes in the 50’s and 60’s and he painted them as a gift to his city. The picture below shows how beautiful the nave was, but part of it was covered up by a curtain during a religious celebration and I have been unable to find one showing the lower portion.
Unfortunately, the Cathedral was severely damaged in the earthquake in 2010 and finally torn down in 2018.
Below is the original info I posted:
Gabriel Leroy was a Haitian Artist who painted from the Mid 1950's to the early 1970's. Very little is known about him. He was not a member of the Centre D'Art in Port Au Prince and no official biography has been discovered. Gerald Alexis a well known Haitian Art Historian wrote this to me in an email:
"The reason why Gabriel Leroy is not known is that his production was essentially sold in tourist shops. He adopted the imagery of the 30's indigenist movement depicting typical scenes of the country side. I am amazed to see the importance given to the sea, or in one instance to a river going into the sea. Water occupies large areas of the canvas which is unusual. I deduct that he is from a town by the sea, Jacmel may be, where a river falls into the bay, well protected by mountains."
At the time I corresponded with Mr Alexis I only had 3 examples of Leroy's work. All three were water scenes. One was painted of the river Artibonite and is titled "Le Fleuve de L'Artibonite". The river Artibonite is approximately 200 miles long and is north of Port Au Prince. It is the longest river in Haiti and has an electric dam built on it. Jacmel is located south of Port Au Prince. An article in the Nouvelliste (a Haitian newspaper) on January 24, 1970 indicates that Mr. Leroy was exhibiting his paintings along with six other artists at the Hotel Craft in Jacmel.
Since then additional paintings have been added to my collection, and more have been shared by other collectors. Below are the examples discovered so far. If you know anything about Gabriel Leroy, or have one of his paintings please email me and send a picture of it to me to be added on this website so that a comprehensive portfolio can be created. If you would are interested in selling your painting please let me know that too.
"The reason why Gabriel Leroy is not known is that his production was essentially sold in tourist shops. He adopted the imagery of the 30's indigenist movement depicting typical scenes of the country side. I am amazed to see the importance given to the sea, or in one instance to a river going into the sea. Water occupies large areas of the canvas which is unusual. I deduct that he is from a town by the sea, Jacmel may be, where a river falls into the bay, well protected by mountains."
At the time I corresponded with Mr Alexis I only had 3 examples of Leroy's work. All three were water scenes. One was painted of the river Artibonite and is titled "Le Fleuve de L'Artibonite". The river Artibonite is approximately 200 miles long and is north of Port Au Prince. It is the longest river in Haiti and has an electric dam built on it. Jacmel is located south of Port Au Prince. An article in the Nouvelliste (a Haitian newspaper) on January 24, 1970 indicates that Mr. Leroy was exhibiting his paintings along with six other artists at the Hotel Craft in Jacmel.
Since then additional paintings have been added to my collection, and more have been shared by other collectors. Below are the examples discovered so far. If you know anything about Gabriel Leroy, or have one of his paintings please email me and send a picture of it to me to be added on this website so that a comprehensive portfolio can be created. If you would are interested in selling your painting please let me know that too.
This was the first Gabriel Leroy painting I purchased. I was driving past a garage sale in Beaverton, Oregon and it caught my eye and I bought it for $25.00 in 2006. I really liked the bright colors. The canvas measures 24" x 18"
This is the second Leroy painting I purchased. It came up for sale on Ebay in November 2012. I watched it for about a month. They were originally asking $225. In January 2013 they added a make offer on it and I got it for only $125.00. The canvas measures 24" x 16".
This is the third Leroy painting I bought. It came on Ebay in December 2012 at the same time I was watching the one above. They originally were asking $1,375.00. I really liked the colors in it. I made an offer of $225 and it was accepted. It arrived about 3 days after the second painting did. When they arrived I took pictures and sent them several Haitian art experts to see if they could tell me anything about Gerald Leroy. A couple had heard of his name but knew nothing about him, more had never heard of him. About this same time another Leroy painting the voodoo one below came up on Ebay. They were asking $895 for it and I was waiting for them to add a make offer on it but someone paid full price and I missed out. I sometimes wonder if I did myself in by writing to the experts. The canvas measures 20" x 16".
I picked this one up off of Ebay in July 2014. The signature is a little sloppy and it was listed as Gabriel Leema, but I recognized the painting style as soon as I saw it and then looked at the signature and recognized it as Leroy instead of Leema. I only paid $50 for it and I love the colors in it. The canvas is 24" x 16"
Here you can see what I mean about a sloppy signature. I can just see some tourist watching as the painting was being finished and insisting on buying it before it was even dry and then accidentally smearing the signature as they were carting away their new prize.
Here you can see what I mean about a sloppy signature. I can just see some tourist watching as the painting was being finished and insisting on buying it before it was even dry and then accidentally smearing the signature as they were carting away their new prize.
This is the fifth Leroy painting I purchased, also off of Ebay. It has a small hole and slight loss of paint just below the palm tree. But it was only $16. The canvas measures 15" x 10" and it has no frame.
This is the fifth Leroy painting I purchased, also off of Ebay. It has a small hole and slight loss of paint just below the palm tree. But it was only $16. The canvas measures 15" x 10" and it has no frame.
Here is my most recent purchase. Very similar to the one above but with two additional boats, and twice as big. The canvas measures 40"x30". I paid $375 with shipping. Beautiful colors. The one above is titled "Le Fleuve de L' Artibonite en Haiti" This one is untitled but is obviously the same place.
Here is my most recent purchase. Very similar to the one above but with two additional boats, and twice as big. The canvas measures 40"x30". I paid $375 with shipping. Beautiful colors. The one above is titled "Le Fleuve de L' Artibonite en Haiti" This one is untitled but is obviously the same place.
This is a Voodoo painting by Gabriel Leroy. It is one that "got away". Some other collector bought it and I'm not that sad about it. It is much darker and I definitely prefer his more colorful paintings. Canvas size is 40" x 30"
Here's another version of the voodoo painting above. At first I thought they were the same but then I noticed subtle differences like the sheep's legs, and the signature have different colors, and a difference in the frames. I like the more vibrant colors. Heather who emailed me the picture of the painting reports that it belonged to a friend of hers who owned it for at least 25 years. He recently passed away and she has given the painting on to another friend who is an artist too.
Here's another one from Ebay that got away! It was sold in June 2015. I was concentrating on collecting silent films (my other passion) and somehow missed seeing it. It sold for $75.00
Here's another one from Ebay that got away! It was sold in June 2015. I was concentrating on collecting silent films (my other passion) and somehow missed seeing it. It sold for $75.00
I don't own this one either. It is owned by Diana who uploaded the picture on PIntrest.com . Lucky lady!!! I love the colors and the facial features. She reports the canvas is 16"x24".
Diana contacted me and offered me first chance at this picture and it is now proudly hanging in my office with the others I own . It is even more vibrant than the picture shows! One thing that is different is that it is painted on a board rather than canvass like my others.
Here's the newest as of August 2017. The new owner inherited it from his aunt who got it from her mother in law. How many differences can you spot between this one and the one above? I'm up to 23.
Here's another beautiful Gabriel Leroy painting owned by a gentleman who found my website and wants to share his picture! Here's his email:
Hello,
I came across your site (which is fantastic), and wanted to share my Leroy painting with you. Its not for sale but I would love if you would upload the picture to your site. It was purchased in Galveston Texas at an antique store for $200 in 2012 and has been in my collection of occult paintings since. The painting shows the congregation dancing around the poto mitan, the center pole in a peristyle, representing the center of the universe and the access to the spirit world.
Many thanks,
Jeremy B.
Thanks for sharing Jeremy!!!
Hello,
I came across your site (which is fantastic), and wanted to share my Leroy painting with you. Its not for sale but I would love if you would upload the picture to your site. It was purchased in Galveston Texas at an antique store for $200 in 2012 and has been in my collection of occult paintings since. The painting shows the congregation dancing around the poto mitan, the center pole in a peristyle, representing the center of the universe and the access to the spirit world.
Many thanks,
Jeremy B.
Thanks for sharing Jeremy!!!
Here's another Gabriel Leroy painting has just been shared!!! This one is owned by a wonderful lady in Worcester, MA who received it in the 1970's as a gift and has treasured it ever since. The size is 21 x 30.
In September 2018 the painting above was found in a storage locker that was about to be auctioned. Just before the auction the unit owner paid up the past due fees. In March 2019 it was again up for auction and was sold. It is a full body nude painting. The new owner put it up on Ebay but received no bids and ended up selling it at flea market in Fishkill , NY. The next new owner has put it back up on Ebay. The facial features seem much more realistic than Leroy's usual faces to me. Some might think me prudish for not showing the entire painting, but I would rather keep this site family friendly.
In December 2019 This one was up for auction by Florat Jewlery in Florida. Their estimated value was $600-800. I haven't found the actual sale price. It is the smallest of his paintings being only 10 x 8 inches
In March 2020, Pam emailed saying she and her husband had bought an abandoned house and found the two Gabriel Leroy paintings below inside. They are both in rough shape with mildew and bugs eating the edges. She kindly donated them to me! Thank you Pam!
Also in March 2020 the two pictures below were placed for sale with a Canadian Art Gallery. The seller reports that they were purchased by his parents on a trip to Haiti in 1964 or 1966. They got them from an art gallery in the Marche de Fer in Port-au-Prince. The first one is 20 x 30 inches and the second is 20 x 25 inches. They have now been added to my collection
Here is the latest painting to be shared. Very similar to the damaged one above but way better cared for with vibrant colors. The current owner reports that they bought it at an auction years ago for a friend who enjoyed it for many years. Their friend has recently passed away and it has come back to them. The size is 24x36 inches. The owner is open to selling this painting. If interested in buying it please contact me and I will forward your email to them.
Just Shared in July 2020 the owner reports "My grand-mother worked for one of the Haitian presidents and asked him for a favor, she asked him to release Gabriel Leroy from prison. He was released and as a token of his appreciation to her kindness and getting him out of jail he painted this for her.
Gabriel Leroy was obviously very skilled at intricate painting as demonstrated by this scene. Yet, he chose to paint the majority of his art in the "indigenous" style.
March 2023
The picture to the side with the sailboats was shared by John Le Havre, France. Here is his story:
I have just taken out of the basement a painting by Gabriel LEROY that was offered to me when I was a child by my father during a trip to Haiti. This painting was throughout my childhood on the wall of the room at the foot of my bed and often invited me to travel. She will join my office next week so that I can remember the child I was.
A very beautiful picture! It would be wonderful to wake up to that view every morning!!!
I recently found this Voodoo painting on Facebook. It was at an art gallery in Port-au-Prince, Haiti in 2012/13. Someone got a Great painting! This painting was located by Becky and she bought it at an Estate Sale in December 2022 with six other Haitian paintings. She had it on Ebay for about 3 months and I kept telling myself "I don't have anyplace to display it... I don't have don't have any room... I don't.." then I broke down and bought it. It makes the 12th one that I own. |
Another unusual painting for Gabriel Leroy.