Artist Jack Melville has completed his commission to capture the image of the late Sir Charles Belgrave, an advisor to the kingdom’s rulers between 1926 and 1957.
He’s now anxiously hoping those who had met the charismatic cigar-smoking Brit will be satisfied he captured a touch of his true character.
The 58-year-old former art director of advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi, said: “I like to read about the people I draw, trying to get more background information into their character and with Sir Charles I found him fascinating.
“He seemed to be a very strong-willed individual who was obviously trusted as ‘the advisor’. I tried to capture in his eyes a little of that trusting quality and wisdom. “He also had incredible vision for the kingdom.
Amongst his many achievements in Bahrain, he was responsible for the establishment of a system of civil and criminal courts, a functioning and well-trained police service, general and widely available education, municipal authorities and political support for the exploration of oil.
“I believe he was also very relaxed and I chose this very informal pose to try and capture the feeling that he might be just about to lean forward and advise the ruler on a really important topic as a friend would. “It also seems from all the photographs I have researched that he was never really without a cigar and so thought this was important to his character.
“I also thought he had very trusting eyes and his general demeanour seemed to be of a very caring nature. “I personally am really pleased with the outcome of the picture but the proof is with the people who knew him as to if I have been successful in capturing a little of the essence of the man.”
As reported in last week’s GulfWeekly, the work of art is set to be presented to Bahrain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs ambassador Dr Dhafer Alumran, assistant undersecretary for GCC Affairs and Western Countries, either at a ceremony in the kingdom or at the Bahrain embassy in London.
Jack will be donating the piece as part of the Bahrain-UK bicentennial celebrations and hopes ‘it may still be around in another 200 years of peace and friendship between our two countries’.
His ‘Do What You Love’ exhibition is open to the public at Bahrain Financial Harbour for the next two months and the artist has offered a special deal for artloving GulfWeekly readers to snap up some of the portraits on display for BD250, on a first-come, first-served basis, including those featuring musicians Bob Marley and Debbie Harry, 60s model Twiggy, actresses Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe, comedian Tommy Cooper and actor TerryThomas.
Email jackmelville57@ icloud.com for more details.
