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Regular Session, 2014
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 19
BY SENATOR CORTEZ
CONDOLENCES. Expresses condolences upon the death of George Rodrigue,
internationally renowned artist.
A RESOLUTION1
To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the2
death of George Rodrigue, an internationally renowned artist, and to recognize his3
contributions to the state of Louisiana.4
WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and profound sorrow that the members of the5
Louisiana Senate have learned of the death of artist George Rodrigue on Saturday, December6
14, 2013, at the age of sixty-nine; and7
WHEREAS, George Rodrigue was born on March 13, 1944, in New Iberia, where8
he grew up as the only child of George and Marie Rodrigue; and9
WHEREAS, Mr. Rodrigue began painting as a child and evolved into one of the most10
well-known and beloved artists in Louisiana history; and11
WHEREAS, Mr. Rodrigue studied art at Southwestern Louisiana University, now12
the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena,13
California, and returned home to Louisiana after his studies, where he settled in Lafayette14
and embarked on an extraordinary career; and15
WHEREAS, much of Mr. Rodrigue's work has roots in the Cajun world where he16
was born and raised, and while he earned well-deserved acclaim for his portraits and17
landscapes, as well as his fifteen-work series Saga of the Acadians, he was best known for18 SR NO. 19
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his Blue Dog paintings, which were inspired by a childhood story of the myth of the1
loup-garou, a Cajun werewolf or ghost dog; and2
WHEREAS, the Blue Dog is an artistic and cultural icon that is recognized the world3
over; as Mr. Rodrigue himself is quoted saying in The New York Times in 1998, "People4
who have seen a Blue Dog painting always remember it. They are really about life, about5
mankind searching for answers"; and6
WHEREAS, in addition to his artistic accomplishments, Mr. Rodrigue was7
committed to giving back to his community through charitable and educational efforts;8
through the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts, he raised millions of dollars for9
post-Katrina New Orleans; and he held annual art contests for high school students that10
awarded scholarships, art supplies, and other assistance to burgeoning Louisiana artists; and11
WHEREAS, Mr. Rodrigue's lifelong contributions to his homestate and to Southern12
art cannot be overstated; he was commended many times for his singular achievements,13
including his receipt of an award for outstanding service from the National Art Education14
Association for his efforts on behalf of arts education and the Ogden Southern Museum of15
Art's prestigious Opus Award, which is given annually to a member of the arts community16
whose life's work constitutes a major contribution to the cultural landscape of the South; and17
WHEREAS, Mr. Rodrigue was not a native of New Orleans but was an adopted son18
of the city, where he made a significant impact on the people and culture and where his19
studio is a treasured landmark in the French Quarter; and20
WHEREAS, Mr. Rodrigue's body of work is highly regarded not only in Louisiana21
but throughout the United States and the world; he is the subject of numerous books that22
have been published nationally and internationally; his original paintings and silkscreens are23
displayed in galleries in Carmel, California, and Lafayette and New Orleans, Louisiana; his24
work is featured in permanent collections throughout the nation, including the George Bush25
Presidential Library and Museum in Houston and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington,26
D.C.; and he had record-breaking career retrospective exhibitions at the Dixon Gallery and27
Gardens Museum in Memphis, Tennessee, and the New Orleans Museum of Art; and28
WHEREAS, Mr. Rodrigue's work will remain an inspiration for its unique29
celebration of American life and culture, particularly with respect to the state of Louisiana30 SR NO. 19
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and the South; and1
WHEREAS, Mr. Rodrigue's survivors include his wife, Wendy, and two sons,2
Jacques and Andre; and3
WHEREAS, although the death of George Rodrigue has created a tremendous void,4
he will always be remembered as a true American master and will continue to be a source5
of deep pride for all who knew and loved him, especially his family, his friends, and the6
people of Louisiana, who will forever cherish him, his work, and his legacy.7
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana8
does hereby express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the death of George Rodrigue,9
one of Louisiana's most respected and admired citizens and an internationally renowned10
artist, and does hereby recognize and record for posterity the special place he holds in the11
annals of art history in the state of Louisiana and throughout the world.12
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the13
family of George Rodrigue.14
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jerry J. Guillot.
DIGEST
Cortez SR No. 19
Expresses condolences upon the death of George Rodrigue, internationally renowned artist.