Neal Auction 2012

86 363. Clementine Hunter (American/Louisiana, 1886-1988) , “Melrose Plantation, Africa House and Grounds”, c. 1955, cotton stitched and appliquéd quilt with brown paper backing, 78 in. x 55 1/2 in.; accompanied by a letter written to the present owner on behalf of Clementine Hunter, postmarked Oct. 17, 1955, Melrose, LA. $8000/12000 Provenance: Purchased from the artist, 1955. Note: Clementine Hunter created quilt tops and wall-hangings, the most impressive of which depict the buildings and people of Melrose Plantation. The quilt offered here shows the “Big House” of Melrose in the center of the work with the Africa House placed in the upper right. Several other outbuildings are depicted, as are two female figures and a man fishing in a boat. The man fishing is a distinct figure sometimes seen in Hunter’s paintings. The collection of Melrose Plantation includes a quilt top with a similar color block background which also depicts vignettes of life there. Illustrated in Painting by Heart: The Life and Art of Clementine Hunter on page 72 is yet another large quilt showing the “Big House” in the center, the Africa House to the upper right and many of the same female figures and men fishing. Hunter’s large quilts are exceedingly rare. The bold colors and strong geometry and design of the work offered here place it within the highest order of the textiles she created. This quilt was commissioned by the current owner c. 1955 directly from Clementine Hunter. Reference: Gilley, Shelby, Painting by Heart: The Life and Art of Clementine Hunter , Baton Rouge: St. Emma Press, 2000. 364. William Woodward (American/Louisiana, 1859-1939) , “Still Life with Pineapple”, 1900, oil on canvas, monogrammed and dated lower right, 10 in. x 14 in., original frame. $3000/5000 Provenance: Descended in a New Orleans family. 365. Colette Pope Heldner (American/New Orleans, 1902- 1990) , “Napoleon House, French Quarter, New Orleans - Bastille Day”, oil on canvas, signed and titled lower left and en verso, 40 in. x 34 in., framed. $6000/8000 Note: Colette Pope Heldner depicts one of the most iconic corners in the French Quarter in this lively Bastille Day scene. The Napoleon House and Pierro Maspero’s provide the backdrop for a wide variety of “characters”, including a Lucky Dog vendor, street musician, performers with a monkey, French sailors with a lady, and two nuns. The artist even includes herself in the composition, in the lower right corner, carrying her canvas and easel. The large number of people in the painting, who are reveling, dancing and drinking, convey the conviviality of this French holiday, celebrated with great joie de vivre in New Orleans. 363 364 365