In the photograph above, which appeared in Look Magazine, June 16, 1953, Clementine Hunter is shown in her cabin on Melrose Plantation with her first oil painting, "Bowl of Zinnias" (on the table to her left). This work, the first of Clementine's early "secret paintings", predated even the window-shade painting referred to by Francois Mignon in his writings. This important historical painting is now part of a private collection and was previously owned by Whitfield Jack, grandson of Blythe White Rand of Alexandria, Louisiana, who was a fellow weaver, horticulturist, and friend of Mrs. Cammie Henry, owner of Melrose, dating back to the mid 1930's. Mrs. Rand along with the artist, Alberta Kinsey, provided the "bowl" (actually a beaten copper pitcher) of zinnias and the oil paints used by Clementine for her first oil painting. The painting was given by Clementine to Mrs. Rand and remained in her possession from the time it was painted c.1939 until 1952. At that time, at the urging of world-renowned photographer, Clarence John Laughlin (who was engaged at that time by the Library of Congress to do a pictorial history of Louisiana architecture), the painting was exhibited in the Saturday Gallery in St. Louis, Missouri. The program for this exhibit is included in the documentation. The work was not sold and was returned by Clementine to Mrs. Rand. (The painting, Milking Time", shown in the photograph above at Clementine's feet, is also owned by Mr. Jack's family and was also exhibited in the Saturday Gallery exhibition). "Bowl of Zinnias" was most recently shown in September 1997 at the Addison Ripley Gallery Exhibit in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. Prior to that it was exhibited at the Saturday Gallery, Saint Louis, Missouri, November 17 - December 22, 1952.

Clementine Hunter's First Oil Painting "Bowl of Zinnias" c.1939 Oil on corrugated board 20-1/2 inches x 16-3/4 inches This painting is now in the private collection of an anonymous owner. It is a copyrighted work of art and many not be reproduced in any form. See notice below.

Provenance
Close up views of painting
Dating paintings by signature

Click to see the seven paintings by Clementine Hunter that are in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture .

Read about the Secret Paintings of Clementine Hunter The link below will lead you to the story of the first of the early oil paintings that were done prior to the famous window-shade painting commonly assumed to be Clementine's first work -- paintings that were acknowledged by Francois himself as "the secret paintings" of Clementine Hunter. Included is a full documentation of Clementine Hunter's historically significant first work in oils, "The Bowl of Zinnias"

Secrets Index

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Links to website of fellow artists, travelers, and kindred spirits
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