Lyonel Laurenceau (Haitian-Canadian, b.1942)

Lyonel Laurenceau (born 1942, Port-au-Prince, Haiti) is a renowned Haitian symbolic expressionist painter whose work is internationally recognized for its psychological depth and refined technique. He studied art in Haiti, the United States, and France, developing a sophisticated visual language centered on the exploration of the human condition. Laurenceau’s paintings are distinguished by complex spatial constructions composed of overlapping and interwoven cells, creating subtle plays of transparency and layered meaning. These structures serve as metaphors for emotional states, memory, and inner life, allowing his portraits and figures to resonate with both intimacy and universality. His work reflects a balance between formal control and expressive sensitivity. An artist of international renown, Laurenceau has received numerous awards worldwide and is widely regarded as one of the leading painters of his generation. His works have been exhibited extensively in the United States, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, and many other countries, and are held in museum collections around the world. His contribution to modern Haitian art is documented in all major reference books on the subject. As noted by Haitian art critic Gérald Alexis in Peintres Haïtiens, Laurenceau’s “excellent technique enables him to paint affecting portrait types,” underscoring his ability to translate human emotion into a powerful visual presence. Today, Lyonel Laurenceau remains a central figure in Haitian symbolic expressionism, admired for his mastery, intellectual depth, and enduring artistic influence. Scroll Down to Make Your Selection (s)