Kesnel Franklin was born June 24, 1948, in Les Cayes, eldest son of a poor family.  He studied at the Academie des Beaux-Arts under Geo Remponeau and Petion Savain, graduating in 1965.  After two years of struggle during which he was forced into trivial work sold at fourth-rate galleries to support his brothers and sisters, he was invited by Paul Beauvoir and Petion Savain, his old teacher, who recognized Franklin's talent to use their studio.  His figures capture the graceful carriage so much admired in the Haitian people.

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It is reported he died a violent death in 1978.

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Christensen, Eleanor.  The Art of Haiti.  New Jersey:  A.S. Barnes, 1975