Ol’ St. Croix – Leo S. Carty

Artist: Leo S. Carty (American, 1931–2010)
Date: 1990
Medium: Limited Edition Print (Lithograph or Serigraph) on Paper
Dimensions: Image: Approx. 14 x 19 inches; Framed: Approx. 20 x 26 inches

This evocative work, titled Ol’ St. Croix, is a quintessential representation of Leo S. Carty’s dedication to capturing the soul and cultural heritage of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Carty, a Harlem-born artist who relocated to St. Croix in the 1970s, became a pillar of the Caribbean art scene, celebrated for his “Island Expressions” that documented the everyday lives of the West Indian people. This specific composition features two figures, likely women in traditional “market” or “Sunday” attire, including a vibrant headwrap and a sun hat, engaged in a moment of quiet repose or conversation. The soft, atmospheric wash of colors and the focus on posture over distinct facial details create a universal sense of nostalgia and cultural pride, a hallmark of Carty’s narrative style.