Untitled (Paradisiacal River Scene) – Frito Bastien – Original Oil on Canvas
 
About the Artwork This monumental, untitled masterpiece is one of Frito Bastien’s most expansive and immersive works. It transports the viewer into a lush, paradisiacal world where a group of islanders in bright attire float gently aboard a boat across a tranquil blue river. Surrounded by a natural canopy of swaying coconut trees and vibrant tropical vegetation, the scene vibrates with joyful energy.
 
The rhythmic detail of the palm fronds and the small, nestled house in the background evoke a sense of peaceful domestic life and communal harmony. The figures appear engaged in song or storytelling, offering a rare and precious glimpse into Afro-Caribbean heritage and the soul of rural Haiti.
 
About the Artist Frito Bastien (b. 1954) is a celebrated Haitian master and recipient of the Pew Fellowship in the Arts. 1 Mentored by the legendary Célestin Faustin, Bastien’s "naïve" style is world-renowned for its ability to preserve the customs and mountainous landscapes of Haiti through memory and imagination. 2 A cornerstone of the Philadelphia mural arts community, his fine art canvases are prized for their layered symbolism and emotional resonance.