Generals

oil on canvas

120cm x 105cm

(SOLD)

General Edward Louis Spears of Britain and General Catroux of France were their countries’ leading diplomats in Lebanon during World War Two. They had their first meeting at the Sofar Grand Hotel. Spears describes the meeting in his memoirs ‘Fulfilment of a Mission’. That mission, according to Spears, was to gain independence for Lebanon:

‘The meeting between Wilson, Catroux and myself took place in the hotel garden, maps curling up and papers flying off garden tables as they always will at meetings in the open air. As can well be imagined, the atmosphere was somewhat strained.

Jumbo, very much on the defensive, started off with a suspicion I did nothing to allay that the Armistice terms of which he had seemed, to start with, quite proud, did not appear in the same light to the Minister of State (Spears). As for the third participant, Catroux, his role was now to refute as far as possible all the points to which he had imprudently agreed to at Acre, which he now evidently began to realize would infuriate De Gaulle.’

Spears and Catroux became adversaries in the covert battle to establish influence for their respective countries in Lebanon and Syria. Both had colonial and economic aims. Ultimately Spears came out on top, forcing French authorities to release Lebanese government ministers (whom he supported) who had been imprisoned by French forces in Rachaya Castle, an event which led directly to the declaration of Lebanese Independence on 22^nd November 1943. The story is explored by the artist in the documentary film ‘The Painter and the General’, filmed and edited by Tony El Khoury. It is currently a work in progress. A draft version of the film will be screen during the exhibition at a special film screening night, the date of which will be announced soon.

Tom Young