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Cypriot, 1901-1972
Greek-Cypriot Priest
oil on wood
(in its original frame)
106 x 8 cm
Provenance
From the estate of Taylor Garrison Belcher, former US Ambassador to Cyprus.
The painting of the “Cypriot priest” was purchased by Mr & Mrs Belcher in Cyprus in the late 1950’s
Literature
A similar painting called "Harding's Nightmare" painted in 1958 is illustrated on pages 216/7 of "Georghios Polyviou Georghiou - His work 1942-1964" by Niki Loizidi and published by the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation. (see image)
Taylor Garrison BELCHER, a career Foreign Service officer, was posted to Cyprus as U.S. Consul in 1957 and a year later as Consul General remaining there until 1960. Four years later President Lyndon Johnson appointed him as the United States Ambassador on Cyprus, a post he held for 5 years from 1964 to 1969.
After the eruption of violence between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots during his time in office, Belcher played an important role in re-establishing peace between the two communities. As a result of his peace-keeping abilities, he was awarded the State Department's Secretary's Distinguished Service Award.
In 1969 he left Cyprus for Peru where he was appointed ambassador by President Richard Nixon. He served as ambassador to Peru until his retirement in 1974.
PHOTOGRAPH DESCRIPTIONS
a) Ambassador Taylor Garrison Belcher in front of Agios Ilarion Photographs courtesy of Taylor Garrison Belcher’s family.
b) This photograph was taken on the 4th of July1965 at the American Embassy residence showing the ambassador’s wife, Mrs. Edith Anthony Belcher seated at the front with visiting clerics from Kykkos monastery seated at the back.
Starting from left to right, the clerics of Kykkos Monastery were: Father Christoforos, Abbot Crysostomos, Father Kallinikos, Father Porphyrios and Father Panaretos. The Pol Georghiou painting of the “Greek-Cypriot priest” can be seen hanging on the wall on the left of Father Panaretos.
Photographs courtesy of Taylor Garrison Belcher’s family.
After the eruption of violence between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots during his time in office, Belcher played an important role in re-establishing peace between the two communities. As a result of his peace-keeping abilities, he was awarded the State Department's Secretary's Distinguished Service Award.
In 1969 he left Cyprus for Peru where he was appointed ambassador by President Richard Nixon. He served as ambassador to Peru until his retirement in 1974.
PHOTOGRAPH DESCRIPTIONS
a) Ambassador Taylor Garrison Belcher in front of Agios Ilarion Photographs courtesy of Taylor Garrison Belcher’s family.
b) This photograph was taken on the 4th of July1965 at the American Embassy residence showing the ambassador’s wife, Mrs. Edith Anthony Belcher seated at the front with visiting clerics from Kykkos monastery seated at the back.
Starting from left to right, the clerics of Kykkos Monastery were: Father Christoforos, Abbot Crysostomos, Father Kallinikos, Father Porphyrios and Father Panaretos. The Pol Georghiou painting of the “Greek-Cypriot priest” can be seen hanging on the wall on the left of Father Panaretos.
Photographs courtesy of Taylor Garrison Belcher’s family.
Cypria Auctions
14 Evrou Street
2003 Strovolos
Nicosia, Cyprus
phone: +357 22 341122
phone: +357 97 673876
email: info@cypriaauctions.com
2003 Strovolos
Nicosia, Cyprus
phone: +357 22 341122
phone: +357 97 673876
email: info@cypriaauctions.com