USE CAUTION THEY SAY WHO EVER LOOKS AT THIS IMAGE OF MARIE LAVEAU MAY BECOME HAUNTED BY HER!
Story and Photo of Marie Laveau by Grant Hardy
Painting by C.M. Gandolfo ( CHARLES GANDOLFO "VOODOO CHARLIE') (1939-2001) New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum. Mr. Charles M. Gandolfo is a liberal native New Orleanian with a Creole (French-Spanish) ancestry, and is concerned about environmental issues and civil rights of all citizens. He holds two degrees, one in Fine Arts and the other in Commercial Arts. He owned and operated a hairstyling salon in the French Quarter called "The Salon of the Artist", following in the footsteps of one of the most well known hair dressers of all time, the great Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau. A history buff, especially where New Orleans' Voodoo and culture are concerned, he recalls his grandmother's story about about his ancestors having come from Haiti in 1802 after the slave uprisings. The revolt resulted in the burning of the family plantation. His family was then taken in by a Voodoo Mamboo, a close friend. The Mamboo hid them in barrels and placed them on a ship en route to New Orleans. Mr. Gandolfo has provided authentic Voodoo information and rituals for several major motion pictures including, "The Big Easy" and "Angel Heart". He has appeared on "The ABC Morning News", "Larry King Live", and "Good Morning America". He is also the author of several books including, "Voodoo In South Louisiana", "The Voodoo Cookbook", and "How to use your Voodoo Doll".
THE HAUNTED PAINTING OF MADAME MARIE LAVEAU
This real haunted painting of the Marie Laveau some say it will not photograph at all. Others say they feel her cold dead eyes peering through them as they gaze upon it. The actual haunted painting is kept at the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum on permanent display. The New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum is believed to be the only museum in the world dedicated to Voodoo and Marie Laveau. Others believe it is Not Marie Laveau but that of CHARLES GANDOLFO "VOODOO CHARLIE' ghost that haunts it. Jerry Gandolfo, who now runs the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum might just have a new ghost haunted painting story tell so just ask.
Many have said not only do their photos of the painting not developed but they have been haunted by the image in their dreams. A well know Voodoo writer and the founder of a local New Orleans Tour company tell personally how they do not take their tours to the Voodoo Museum or instruct visitors to t go see the painting in person on their own in fear that something supernatural may happen that they do not want to be responsible for.
A story told in several secret voodoo circles in New Orleans also speaks of a haunted portrait of CHARLES GANDOLFO "VOODOO CHARLIE, himself by an unknown artist that is also said to be haunted by Gandolfo. The painting is said to reside in a private Bywatervoodoo dovotee's home over a grand black altar dedicated to him. The owner of the painting r is said to be calling on all of the New Orleans Voodoo Queens and asking them to raise him to the status of loa or voodoo saint likened to Marie Laveau. And the Painting of Gandolfo is said to move, and even began to sweat blood the day before hurricane Katrina hit the Cresent City in 2005.
The primary purpose of this museum is to represent the traditional practices of the Voodoo religion in New Orleans. The New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum brings together ancient and modern day Voodoo practices. Located in the historic French Quarter, the Museum is an excellent stop for an afternoon walking tour. Our tours highlight the historical importance of Voodoo in New Orleans, along with tales of famous Voodoo Practitioners.
While you are visiting the Museum, you may wish to have one of their practitioners prepare a special Gris-Gris bag just for you or someone you may know. Visiting the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum is an interesting and educational experience for followers and skeptics alike.
The Museum houses artifacts of the Great Voodoo Queen, Marie Laveau.
Le Musee du Voudou.
Entrance to Museum at 724 Rue Dumaine. The Museum was opened in 1972
by Charles M. Gandolfo and is located in New Orleans' French Quarter.
Another real haunted Marie Laveau hangs in the Cabildo Museum Painting by Frank Schneider.
She was a peculiar character, and one which essentially belongs to an era of Louisiana long since passed away. That remarkable woman died at the advanced age of ninety-eight years, and it is curious that her demise should have happened within a few days of the "eve of good St. John," which is the anniversary of the Voudous, and which has been commemorated by the sect under her regency, for the last forty years, on the twenty-third of June of each year. When the next celebration comes, the Voudous will have no queen and on the eve of St. John Marie Laveau will be voudouing with the ghosts of the past and her charms and incantations, will be of no avail.
New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum
724 Rue Dumaine
New Orleans, Louisiana
Phone: 504-523-7685 --
TTY: 504 522 5223
Read More About the life and real Voodoo of Marie Laveau here!
