Fahr El-Nissa Zeid (Turkey, 1900-1991)Into the Void oil on canvas, framedsigned in Arabic (centre right), further signed in English and Arabic (verso) and monogramed with the emblem of the Swiss Embassy in Jordan, executed circa late 1980's100 x 70cm (39 3/8 x 27 9/16in).注脚Provenance:Property from the collection of H.E the former Swiss Ambassador in Amman, Jordan, Dino SciolliAcquired directly from the artists family by the present ownerExhibited:Jordan, March 1991, Anon Exhibition"I was on a Diplomatic Mission in Lebanon from 1986 to 1989 during one of the toughest and most delicate periods in relations between the two countries; kidnappings and death threats were a regular occurrence, and as a result of this climate Bern decided to close the Embassy in Beyrouth.When discussing my following deployment with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, he offered me, as a gift for the end of my career, an Ambassadorship in a country where the Head of the State was a friend of Switzerland: King Hussain of Jordan. I accepted the new mission with enthusiasm and I went to Jordan with my wife.Among the most memorable of our souvenirs of our stay in Jordan I remember that our very first purchase was a painting! As the son of an artist, I have always been interested in painting, sculpture and archaeology as well as visiting museums and exhibitions worldwide. As soon as I arrived in Jordan I received an invitation for the vernissage of a selling exhibition of Middle Eastern artists which at that time were unknown to me.I was struck by the beauty of this painting with its green and red palette, which were my favourite colours. I enquired about the artist and the price. A lovely lady (Princess Majda Ra'ad) told me the life story the artist, Princess Fahr-El Nissa, who was mother of her own husband, Prince Raad, cousin of King Hussain. I bought it and asked to for the painting to remain displayed until the end of the exhibition.To my surprise, the day after the opening, the Turkish Ambassador called me asking if I could sell him my recent acquisition. I used all my diplomatic guile in order ensure that I could keep my new painting. I then went with my wife to the exhibition once again and marked the stretcher of my painting with the official seal of "Ambassade de Suisse". I would have been sad to lose the painting I cherished. I explained this to the lovely lady who had sold it to me. She and the present people were surprised at first, then laughed. This was the start for both my wife and I of a deep friendship with the wife of Prince Raad and the whole Hashemite Family. After two weeks I brought my painting home and it has stayed with us ever since"- H.E the former Swiss Ambassador in Amman, Jordan, Dino Sciolli