Footnotes

Provenance:
Property from a private collection, London
Formerly in the collection of Baron Jacques Maurice Despeaux (1896-1967)
Acquired directly from the artist by the above circa early late 1950's-1960's

Note:
The present work is accompanied by the copy of a letter in the hand of the artist dated 1958 relating to the sale of paintings

"Dear Mr. d'Espaux,

I sincerely thank you once again for the interest you have in my paintings and those of my son.
The enchanted atmosphere of Ischia inspires me to create more paintings than I had imagined.
Thus, you now have a broader selection for your order. I will be expecting you on Sunday with Mr. Gaston Fouquet.

With my best regards,
Fahr El-Nissa Zeid El Hussein
Paris, November 22, 1958"

"Artistically, Fahrelnissa Zeid started to work more frequently in Ischia, and produced there works that differed in colouring and composition from everything that had come before. She abandoned the busy geometric surfaces of her Abstract Expressionist style
for renderings of real abstract tableaux in two main styles: still sub-aquatic scapes, and bursts of fireworks." - Dr Adila Laïdi-Hanieh

Painted during Fahr El-Nissa Zeid's transformative years on the Italian island of Ischia, La Mer Rouge is a powerful example of the artist's evolving abstract style. This period marked a return to painting with renewed intensity following personal upheaval and displacement. The Ischian series, produced in the late 1950s, is characterised by bold chromatic choices and a strong rhythm, inspired by the Mediterranean landscape and light.

In La Mer Rouge, the title's nod to the sea unfolds into a striking interplay of red, blue, and black, forming a composition that is at once rhythmic and visceral. The red, which dominates the surface, is evocative of Ischia's fiery skies, dramatic sunsets, and the vivid bursts of fireworks that often accompany local festivals - capturing the island's energy and emotional heat.

The blotches of blue appear to suggest the ever-present Mediterranean Sea, while the black forms may allude to the volcanic rock and rugged terrain of the island. Created during a pivotal period in Zeid's life, this work is part of a rare group from her time in Ischia that reveals her shift into a bolder, more expressive abstraction. With its layered textures and dynamic palette, La Mer Rouge reflects Zeid's deep response to place, transforming memory and landscape into a vivid and highly personal visual language.

Jacques Maurice Despeaux (1903–1973) was a distinguished French military officer who rose to the rank of lieutenant-colonel and was recognized for his exceptional service during the Second World War. His bravery and dedication earned him several prestigious honors, including the Croix de guerre 1939–1945 for acts of valor in combat, the Médaille des Évadés for escaping enemy control to rejoin French forces, and the Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur, France's highest award for military and civil merit.

Beyond his military accomplishments, he was also named a Chevalier des Palmes Académiques in recognition of his contributions to education and intellectual life. He married Simone Boscal de Réals de Mornac, a baroness from an old noble family with roots in the Languedoc and Saintonge regions. Together they had a daughter, Françoise Despeaux. His life reflected a deep commitment to his country, both in times of war and peace.