Peristerona, from the river bed, Cyprus

Creator:

Henderson, Keith, 1883-1983

Date:

ca. 1928

Inscriptions:

Inscribed: Peristerona from the river bed, Cyprus. Keith Henderson, Commons corner, Burleigh, Glos. Price 10 guineas

Description:

Keith Henderson was one of the first pointillists of England. This oil painting depicts the mixed village of Peristerona in the outskirts of Nicosia. It is drawn from the standpoint of the river Ana, a tributary of the Serrahis river, flowing under a Venetian bridge. The multi-dome Church of Saints Barnabas and Hilarion, typical of Cypriot ecclesiastical architecture of the 11th century, features in the background. The Turkish mosque that stood adjacent to the church is deliberately omitted by the artist, or was then missing its minaret (it was repaired in 1943). The children appearing in the foreground, both Greek and Turkish, lack any facial characteristics. The stillness of the picture, lack of birds, lack of smoke or any other signs indicative of life in the village, along with the omission of the mosque and the appearance of faceless children stand as the artist’s sad testimony to what was to happen in the future. Inter-ethnic conflict culminating to war led to the eventual transformation of Peristerona from a mixed village to an exclusively Greek community. To put it bluntly, this is the artist’s depressing prophecy stated on canvas. Yet, the colours remain beautiful, creating a grey, hazy atmosphere which reminds the viewer of the northern skies from the Scottish background of the artist. The composition is almost haunting. A village lost in time? A generation robbed of its future?

Dimensions:

28 x 91 cm

Signature(s):

Signed: Keith Henderson

Identifier:

PNT-00303

Classification:

Paintings

Object Type:

Oil Painting

Rights Holder:

© Costas and Rita Severis Foundation

Rights Statement:

The Costas and Rita Severis Foundation holds or manages the copyright(s) of this item and its digital reproduction. If you need information about using this item, please send an email to research@severis.org

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