A Wretched Place on Earth

Haitian naïve art often depicts landscapes replete with surreally lush vegetation, populated with friendly, smiling lions, leopards, and giraffes. When you know Haiti as it is, however, these paintings take on a different and much deeper meaning: They express a longing for a paradise lost, in Africa and in Haiti itself—a paradise that never existed, except in the imaginations of those who despair.

Mr. Daniels is the author of many books, particularly about the Third World.

About the Author

Anthony Daniels

Mr. Daniels, a retired doctor who worked in several parts of the world, is the author of Mass Listeria, a book about health scares.

Featured Tags

Manage following

Haiti

Haitian naïve art often depicts landscapes replete with surreally lush vegetation, populated with friendly, smiling lions, leopards, and giraffes. When you know Haiti as it is, however, these paintings take on a different and much deeper meaning: They express a longing for a paradise lost, in Africa and in Haiti itself—a paradise that never existed, except in the imaginations of those who despair.

Mr. Daniels is the author of many books, particularly about the Third World.