Wedding (Authenticated Clementine Hunter Framed Black Folk Art Painting), 1967

Clementine Hunter   Master Artists

If you have been watching the prices of Clementine Hunter's work over the past two years, you will know that they have soared to astronomical heights. Black artists have been in the spotlight lately, and while Clementine Hunter has been a big regional artist for a very long time, she's a national figure now and being added to many museum collections. Institutions and prominent collectors have moved in hard. I was really happy to get this one. At any rate, the first thing to ask about any Clementine is: is it authentic. Yes, there are fakes, and paintings by her son that are mistaken for (or presented as) hers. I won't touch anything by her that hasn't been verified, and this one has been verified by the #1 Clementine expert, Tom Whitehead. Of course it has my own guarantee as well; I have sold many Clementines. You can find fakes at auction houses (many of them outside of the New Orleans area) and other venues that don't ask questions, for a lot less money, but don't be fooled!

Now, about the painting. This one has a clear, wonderful provenance, which is unusual for these. Weddings were a common theme for Hunter, but this one has a specific history. It was gifted to Mr. and Mrs. Merrill by Ann and Jack Brittain in 1967 as a wedding present; then went by descent to the estate of Mary Jane "Cookie" Grace Merrill of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Proudly presented by Guy Lyman Fine Art, New Orleans.