Edgar Jean-Louis Drapo Vodou Flag "St. Jacques (Sen Jak)"

Item Details

A drapo Vodou flag from Haiti featuring St. Jacques (Sen Jak) by Edgar Jean-Louis (1921-2010). This banner presents an offset lithograph of the Catholic saint riding a white horse, with his name sewn above the image. Silver tone, red, pink, blue and yellow sequins and beads are sewn on the image, filling the space with sparkling patterns and texture. Drapo Vodou flags are generally produced by practicing Vodou priests and members of their congregation, and reflect the rich Catholic and Vodou (Voodoo) traditions of Haitian culture. This piece includes a tag with additional information to the verso.

Edgar Jean-Louis was born and raised in Haiti and grew up in the Bel Air neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. Louis is a Houngan and learned the art of making Vodou flags in the late 1970s from Sylva Joseph. His voodoo flags are very traditional he adorns the chromolithograph prints of Catholic saints with loas and Yoruba beadwork. The composition is framed with geometric sequins. Sometimes stencils are used to create the loas. He started a workshop in Bel Air where he worked with his apprentices.

Condition

- to fair; discoloration and stains to fabric; some loose threads.

Dimensions

Item #

18LEX025-031