Uncle Earl, the self-styled "Last of the Red-Hot Papas," was one of the greatest orators in Louisiana history. His stump-speaking style was equal measure to his down home politics and theatrics. When he popped his suspenders and wresteld with the microphone, the audience knew he was about to deliver a stemwinder.

George Rodrigue has chosen the moody background of Earl's beloved "pea patch" farm near Winnfield, Louisiana, for his potrait of the three-time governor. As he did throughout his life. Uncle Earl commands the foreground, struck in a typically garrulous pose.