Henri Robert Bresil (Haitian, 1952-1999)

Over the last five years, the artwork of Henri Robert Bresil (Haitian, 1952-1999) has received low estimates starting at $200 and high estimates of $ 2,500 for realized sales at auction.  The highest sales price occurred at the May 22, 2011 20th Century Art and Design sale at Treadway Gallery in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Lot 716, "Harvest Landscape" sold for $3,000.  Dated circa 1980, the oil on canvas on board depicts people at work on land and water.

Bresil was born in Gonaives, in the northwestern region of Haiti in September of 1952. Although he started to paint at a rather young age, his career really began only after he settled in Port-au-Prince in 1973.

He is known for his great landscapes; jungle scenes, with a mass of stylized trees that invade the canvas without leaving room for the sky. The whiteness of a waterfall, the red of one or more birds or the yellow of some fruits often enlightens the green that dominates his canvases. The composition is always repetitive and elaborate, creating a very decorative and popular effect.

Bresil has received glowing reviews in art and decoration magazines. Art critics particularly appreciate his work for his perfectionist techniques and the meticulous execution of his compositions.

He won the Ispan-Unesco prize of honor at the Museum of Haitian Art. He has had shows in the United States as well as in Europe. He exhibits in many galleries in Haiti and abroad. He is very popular in Japan, where they are fond of his delicate and refined jungles.

Bresil died in the first week of April 1999.

Source: MedaliaArt, August 2013

"Harvest Landscape," c. 1980, oil on canvas on board, 48" x 70"

ATFA Appraisals Supports Musée d’Art Haitien du Collège St Pierre in Port-au-Prince Haiti

ATFA Appraisals is pleased to announce that we have taken advertisement in an important project to support the Musee d'Art Haitien du College St. Pierre in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.  Save A Museum is the title of the 52-page catalog featuring 78 artworks by Haitian artists of the modern and contemporary period.

Click here to buy the catalog.

The collection of works are for sale with net proceeds used to pay for repairs in the Musee d'Art Haitien which was damaged in the 2010 earthquake.  The Musee d'Art Haitien is closed today due to those required repairs.

Get a free estimate!

ATFA Appraisals advertised in the catalog.  ATFA Appraisals specializes in fine art appraisals of paintings, photographs, and prints for insurance coverage, charitable donation, equitable distribution, estate taxes, and purchases and sales.  One of our areas of concentration is Haitian Art.  We are a member of the Haitian Art Society, and serve as a volunteer sales coordinator for a unique contemporary print portfolio, A/Q ArtQuake, designed to support artists in Haiti.

For a free estimate of your Haitian, or other contemporary and modern artwork(s), contact ATFA Appraisals.  We provide objective, Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP)-compliant appraisal reports and consultancies (written and verbal), and adhere to the code of ethics of the American Society of Appraisers.

Donna Thompson Ray Serves Third Year as ASA Northern New Jersey Chapter 73 Secretary

We are pleased to announce that Donna Thompson Ray, Chief Appraiser, ATFA Appraisals, is serving a third year as secretary of the ASA Northern New Jersey Chapter 73.  American Society of Appraisers (ASA) is the nation's oldest appraisal association.  An international organization of appraisal professionals, ASA is a multi-disciplinary association, with members practicing in six areas of appraisal specialities, and active chapters across the country.


As a member of the international arts community for twenty-five years,  Donna is thrilled to be serving the membership of northern New Jersey ASA appraisers.  Some of the highlights of her responsibilities include serving as editor of the chapter newsletter, and assisting with programming for the monthly meetings.  During 2012-2013, the chapter held upwards of six content-rich meetings on topics such as sports memorabilia, U.S. currency and its history, collecting at the Montclair Art Museum, and the new tax laws and their impact on your bottom line.

Donna formed ATFA Appraisals nearly seven years ago in response to her families' growing interest in antiques and collectibles.  Based in Westfield, New Jersey, ATFA Appraisals helps clients with the appraisal of personal property for charitable donation, insurance, estate taxes, equitable distribution, and purchases and sales.  ATFA Appraisals also offers educational services such as gallery talks, topical lectures, seminars, and group tours, an outgrowth of Donna's esteemed professional experience as a history educator, a published writer, and a PhD candidate in American history.

ATFA Appraisals works in Contemporary and Modern art appraisals of paintings, photographs, and prints.  American/African-American Art, Haitian Art, Latin American Art, and traditional African sculpture are included in areas of concentration.

To get a free estimate, please send us your contact information.  To subscribe to the ATFA Appraisals quarterly newsletter, click here.