Opener of the Way
[Toussaint Louverture]
54” x 72” Acrylic and collage on canvas
2018

Collection of Stephanie Etienne & Bradford Young

The distinctive profile of Toussaint Louverture pays homage to both the military leader of the Haitian Revolution and the pioneering modernist figuration attributed to Jacob Lawrence. In 1938, Lawrence created a series dedicated to Louverture, featuring a portrait sharing a similar profile. In his unique way, Imar uses the depths of navy blue to outline the details of Louverture’s corporeal form while signifying the ineffective Naval forces rebuffed by his tactical genius.  As in most of Imar’s portraits, gold signifies the regal presence of the subject in the annals of history, which compliments the richness of aquatic hues dominating this particular canvas. A close reading of his military hat reveals a pair of sacred horns that recur throughout Imar’s brand of portraiture.