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Skip Navigation LinksHome > Artists by last name > Hunter, Clementine

Clementine Hunter (1886 - 1988)

Clementine Hunter came into this world in the 19th Century, 1886 to be exact, at a cotton plantation known as Hidden Hill in the State of Louisiana.

Hidden Hill had a bad reputation that was well earned. It was an extremely oppressive place in which to try and survive. When Clementine reached the age of five, her family moved to Cane River and Clementine started her brief academic career. Disillusioned with formal education, Clementine often skipped school and her parents finally quit forcing her to go.

When Clementine turned fourteen, her family moved to Melrose Plantation, to work for John Hampton and Carmelita Henry. Melrose was the center of Cane River, a sprawling plantation, founded by a former slave named Marie Therese Coin and her family in the eighteenth century . The plantation was gigantic, with thousands of acres under cultivation and a large herd of cattle. John Hampton and Miss Cammie ( a.k.a. Carmelita  Henry) bought the plantation  in 1898. Miss Cammie wanted to preserve the culture of Cane River, and the plantation was a haven for many artists and writers who came from distant places to work in the laid back environment of Melrose. Carmelita encouraged them to come and actively recruited many.

Clementine worked in the fields and the pecan groves. Clementine was married two times. Her first marriage was to Charlie Duprie who passed away in 1914. Charlie and Clementine had two children. A decade later, Emmanuel Hunter became Clementine's second husband. They had  five children, two of which were still born. Clementine would bring her babies into the fields with her as she picked cotton. 

At the age of 42, Clementine left the fields and began working in the main house. She tended the gardens, washed clothes, and made clothing for Carmelita's children and their dolls. She was an accomplished quiltmaker and created many beautiful quilts. It was obvious to Miss Cammie that Clementine had hidden abilities.

Francois Mignon came to Melrose in 1938 and worked as an assistant to Miss Cammie. Francois saw Clementine's talent almost immediately.With his   encouragement, Clementine began to paint.

Over her productive life, Clementine created over 4000 works, most detailing life as she saw it in a simplistic, child-like style. Canvas was not always available to her, so she used found objects at times such as bottles, cardboard, window shades, and paper bags. She could not read or write, so she told stories with her paintings - stories of life on the plantation.

Northwestern State University of Natchitoches awarded Clementine an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts. Her name is enshrined in the walk of stars in the city of Natchitoches.

Clementine Hunter died on January 1, 1988. She was buried near Melrose Plantation, near her friend Francois Mignon who discovered her talent.

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