Description:

Clementine Hunter
American, 1887-1988

Oil on board
Signed with the artist's monogram to right edge. Baptism scene, framed.

Clementine Hunter lived and worked most of her life on the Melrose cotton plantation near Natchitoches, Louisiana. It wasn't until 1940 that she began painting, with her first work being a depiction of a baptism in Cane River executed on a window shade. She did not have much for materials, so she used whatever surfaces she could find, drawing and painting on canvas, wood, gourds, paper, snuff boxes, wine bottles, iron pots, cutting boards, and plastic milk jugs; painting at night after working all day on the plantation. The subject of her work was moments of everyday life around the plantation, from work in the cotton fields to baptisms and funerals. Her first exhibition was in 1949; however, it was not until the 1970s when both the Museum of American Folk Art in New York and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art exhibited her paintings, that she began to garner public attention. Despite consequential success, Hunter chose to stay in Louisiana, working at Melrose Plantation until 1970 when she moved to a small trailer a few miles away on an unmarked road. Today she is Louisiana's most famous female artist, and she is one of the most important folk artists of all time. Her work can be seen in the Smithsonian Institute, the New Orleans Museum of Art, the Museum of American Folk Art in New York, the High Museum of Atlanta, the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, the New York Historical Association, the Oprah Winfrey Collection in Chicago and many other museums and private collections across the country.

  • Dimensions: 11 3/4 x 21 1/4 in. (29.8 x 54 cm.), Frame: 13 x 22 1/4 in. (33 x 56.5 cm.)
  • Medium: Oil on board
  • Condition:
    It is the Buyer's responsibility to examine each lot in advance of bidding so as to satisfy themselves concerning condition, genuineness, age, description, etc.  Any condition statement is given as a courtesy to a client, is an opinion, and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Reference to condition written, oral or within a condition report shall not be regarded as a full account of condition and may not include all defects, alterations, or restorations. Absence of a condition report does not imply a lot is flawless or lacking imperfections or damage. Selkirk Auctioneers & Appraisers shall have no responsibility for any error or omission. Returns shall not be accepted on the basis of condition. 

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Shipment is the full responsibility of the buyer. A full list of preferred third-party shippers can be found on our website at the bottom of the page: https://www.selkirkauctions.com/buy-sell/post-auction-services/. Selkirk will not be responsible for any loss, damage, theft, or otherwise responsible for any items left in Selkirk's possession fifteen (15) days after the sale. If arrangements for shipping have not been made and communicated within thirty (30) days, Selkirk reserves the right, at this time, to charge a storage fee of $10 per lot per day for furniture and large format items and $5 per lot per day for all other items, and within sixty (60) days, at its own discretion, sell any items left on the premises. Accumulated fees resulting from storage and insurance cost will be taken out of any proceeds.

Objects that contain materials of endangered or protected species may be subject to regulations disallowing export and import into other states or countries. It is the buyer's responsibility to be aware of all applicable laws and regulations and to obtain any required export or import licenses or certificates and any other required documentation.

November 15, 2025 10:00 AM CST
St. Louis, MO, US

Selkirk Auctioneers & Appraisers

You agree to pay a buyer’s premium, as outlined below, and any applicable taxes and shipping.
Buyer's Premium
$0 - $1,000,000:
30.00%
$1,000,001 - $5,000,000:
25.00%
$5,000,001+:
20.00%

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $29 $5
$30 $99 $10
$100 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $29,999 $1,000
$30,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $299,999 $10,000
$300,000 $499,999 $25,000
$500,000 + $50,000