Oil on copra bag (restored), 54 x 53 cm.
Signed « François Hippolyte » in the back, without title and date.
Private collection.
According to the paint palette this character is holding and to his stained clothes, it could be the only representation of Hippolyte that has been found to this day.
It is interesting to note that the shape of the palette is echoing to the fruits in the umete (wood dish) and to the painting hanging in the background. The latter is actually the sculpture entitled « Petals » which is also shown in this exhibition.
Please note the resemblance with Paul Gauguin’s work, who often included his own creations (paintings or ceramics) in the background of his paintings, like in the example below:
… From a truly fake story by Gaya…