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Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, CA.
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, CA.
General Christophe, General Toussaint, and General Dessalines
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, CA.
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, CA.

General Christophe, General Toussaint, and General Dessalines

Artifact ID1981.04884.01
Object Type Painting
Artist (Artist (Haitian painter, 1930-2017))
Gifter
Gifter
Date 20th Century
Medium Paint (oil), Wood, Canvas, Paper, Ink, Metal, Fabric
Dimensions22 × 30 in. (55.9 × 76.2 cm)
Physical DescriptionA wood frame painted in gold leaf with an oil painting of three figures dressed in military uniform and seated facing each other in a room by Roland Dorcely. Taped to the back of the painting is a xeroxed copy of an article reading, "In 1789 the French West Indian colony of San Domingo supplied two-thirds of the overseas trade of France and was the greatest individual market for the European slave trade. It was an integral part of the economic life of the age, the greatest colony in the world, the price of France, and the envy of every other imperialist nation. The whole structure rested on the labour of half-a-million slaves. In August 1791, after two years of the French Revolution and its repercussions in San Domingo, the slaves revolted. The struggle lasted for 12 years. The slave defeated in turn the local whites the soliders of the French monarchy, a Spanish invasion a British expedition of some 60,000 men, and a French expedition of similar size under Bouaparte's brother-in-law. The defeat of Bounapart's expedition in 1803 resulted in the establishment of the Negro state of Haiti which has lasted to this day. The revolt is the only successful slave revolte in history, and the odds it had to overcome is evdence of the maguitude of the interests that were involved. The transformation of slaves, ______ in hundreds before sigle white man, into a people able to organise themselves and defend the most powerful European nation of that day, is one of the greates epics of revolutionary struggles and achivements." with two hard to read notes in cursive below it. Taped separately to the back of the painting is a business card for Lexington Art Gallery.
Historical NoteHenri Christophe (1767-1820), François-Dominique Toussaint L'Ouverture (1743-1803), and Jean-Jacques Dessalines (1758-1806) were leaders of the Haitian Revolution (1791-1804), when slaves successfully revolted against French rule.

-Toussaint L'Ouverture had served as the Governor-General of Saint-Domingue before the Revolution. In 1802 he was arrested and sent France, where he died in prison on April 7, 1803.
-Dessalines was proclaimed Emperor of Haiti in 1804, and ruled under the regnal name Jacques I until his death in 1806.
-Christophe was the first President of the State of Haiti, in northern Haiti, from 1807-1811. He then reigned as Henry I, the only King of Haiti, from1811-1820.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteThe item was a gift from a member of the general public to First Lady Nancy Reagan during the Reagan administration. It was received through the Executive Office of the President Office of Correspondence and maintained there until its transfer to the National Archives in January, 1989 for deposit with the Reagan Presidential Library.
National Archives Catalog CollectionRecords of the White House Gift Unit (Reagan Administration) (National Archives Identifier 6816362) and
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from the General Public (National Archives Identifier 6816363)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Possibly
Use Restriction NoteCopyright or other proprietary rights may be held by individuals or entities other than the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
Country/CultureHaiti
In Collection(s)