THE QUESTION OF A "RENAISSANCE" IN HAITI ART

It is often said there was a "renaissance" in Haitian art in the 1940s, stimulated by DeWitt Peters. On the other hand, there is clear evidence that Haitian painters, even some of the famous "first generation" members of the so-called "Renaissance," were painting before they were "discovered" by DeWitt Peters. Below is some discussion of what to make of this situation and how, historically, to understand this period of Haitian art.

• List discussion of "Renaissance" issue, December 1997    Trouillot, Simidor, Morris and Corbett try to frame the issues and take some stances.