For periods of time between the 1940s up through the 1960s my grandfather Pierre Ménager would live in New Orleans (where he had relatives to look after him if need be) and where he painted watercolors and produced some beautiful wood block prints of the city. Pierre often peopled his street scenes -- a peddlar and a cart, a man walking out of a building, a woman with a bundle on her head, and a special favorite, a little nun in lovely cornette (I think probably a Sister of Charity). The watercolor above is echoed in two woodblock prints below produced in 1969:
I am not sure why the third image appears to be a reversal of the other two images -- perhaps a proof of some kind? Though perhaps it is a different view of the street, coming down from the other direction? -- and still the little nun occupies the center (well just off center to make it more visually dynamic). But she is there, approaching with her white wings.
And since I was in the mood-- here are a few more images of New Orleans--prints Pierre often did quickly and on the cheap whenever he needed a quick way to make money. Above is a damaged photograph from 1958 of Pierre's prints, hanging out on a fence. On the back of the photo he has written: "Trying to Make a Sale on Pirates Alley. New Orleans 1958".
Special thanks to cousin Blanche for sending me the image of the painting at the top of the post. And I always like to ask, if anyone out there has a Pierre Ménager painting and would be willing to send me a photograph of it, I would be grateful and delighted to put it up on the blog. I will add, however, that I am unable to give you an estimate of what the painting or sculpture is worth -- a number of you have asked, but I admit to being clueless on that score. I just love the work because it's from my grandfather.
