Description:

† George Rodrigue
American/Louisiana, 1944-2013
"Siblings"
oil on canvas
1970, signed lower left, signed, dated, "Studio de Rodrigue" and "Painted in Louisiana by George Rodrigue" stamps on stretcher, framed with artist plaque.


12 x 9 in. (30.5 x 22.9 cm.), Frame: 18 3/4 x 15 3/4 x 1 1/2 in. (47.6 x 40 x 3.8 cm.)

Provenance: Acquired from the artist; Roland Begneaud Family Collection, Lafayette, LA.

Ill.: Freundlich, Lawrence S. George Rodrigue: A Cajun Artist. New York: Penguin Group, 1996, pl. 27, p. 58.


In March of 1967, George Rodrigue returned to his hometown of New Iberia, Louisiana from the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles, where he had been studying traditional painting techniques, abstract expressionism, pop art and hard-edge painting. As he explored his own path forward as an artist, Rodrigue's earliest landscapes from 1967 to 1970 often included elements such as cabins and small figures. As his unique vision of Louisiana developed however, he abandoned these additional components in favor of the oak tree alone – his symbol of his home state.


As he began to develop local supporters, Rodrigue was introduced to the famous Louisiana architect, A. Hays Town, and his advice to the young artist further transformed Rodrigue's approach. Town told him to "treat each painting like a jewel, because if it is precious to you, it will be precious to others as well." The canvas titled "Siblings" from 1970 offered here is both a jewel and a window into the early development of the artist. The silhouetted oak trees in the background, one not quite cropped at the top, and a rich, dark foreground dominate the composition, while the light shining beneath the trees is particularly bright for the period – symbolizing the artist's hope for the future.


Ref.: Rodrigue, Wendy. "Early Oak Trees and a Regrettable Self-Portrait." George Rodrigue Life & Legacy Foundation. Oct. 14, 2009. www.legacyarttour.org. Accessed Dec. 27, 2024; Rodrigue, Wendy. "Remembering Lafayette's Advocates for the Arts, Circa 1969." George Rodrigue Life & Legacy Foundation. June 22, 2010. www.legacyarttour.org. Accessed Dec. 27, 2024.

  • Condition: No signs of past restoration; some colors fluoresce under UV light but are likely hand of the artist; toning of the uneven varnish layer; light craquelure along outer edges of trees; few pinpoint paint losses scattered throughout; light surface dirt and dust; loss to frame at top left corner; minor gilding loss to frame throughout.

Shipping Options

Invaluable Shipping

  • Expert Care packing and Shipping
  • Shipment Protection
  • Real-time tracking

Arrange your own

  • You will coordinate with us to arrange your own shipping

Local pickup

  • You will coordinate with us and arrange pick up time after payment.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

January 24, 2025 11:00 AM CST
New Orleans, LA, US

Neal Auction Company

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $29,999 $1,000
$30,000 $49,999 $5,000
$50,000 $99,999 $10,000
$100,000 + $20,000