At his death in 1948, Hector Hyppolite was celebrated as Haiti’s foremost painter and a pioneer of Caribbean modernism. By 1946, leading surrealists André Breton and Wifredo Lam were collecting his work and proclaiming him a master of naïve art. His inclusion in UNESCO’s 1947 Paris exhibition established Hyppolite’s international reputation and positioned him among the most influential artists of the 20th century. Born in Saint-Marc, Haiti, into a family of vodou priests, Hyppolite began painting later in life after careers as a shoemaker, house painter, and vodou priest. His travels during World War I—to New York, Cuba, Dahomey, and Ethiopia—broadened his worldview and later infused his art with cross-cultural spirituality. Upon returning to Haiti in 1920, his decorated walls in Saint-Marc caught the attention of DeWitt Peters, founder of the Centre d’Art in Port-au-Prince, who encouraged him to paint professionally.Using chicken feathers, his fingers, and simple brushes, Hyppolite created visionary works rich with symbolism, color, and spiritual energy. His compositions reflect a synthesis of Haitian folklore, vodou iconography, and intuitive modernism.Today, Hyppolite’s paintings are held in significant collections and museums worldwide. His art has been featured in landmark exhibitions, including the Musée du Louvre’s 2011–2012 show, Le Vaudou et l’Art Haïtien, and is presented October 21–26 at Art Basel France, further affirming his enduring global influence. Regarded as a legend of Haitian art, Hector Hyppolite’s legacy continues to inspire generations of artists with his aesthetic sophistication, spiritual depth, and the cultural authenticity that defines Haiti’s artistic identity.