Lawrence of Arabia

Thomas Edward LAWRENCE. Sculpture by Fernando Andrea

T. E. Lawrence was always fascinated by how artists would portray him. He admired the artists Augustus John, William Orpen and Eric Kennington. Lawrence was a willing sitter for their portraits, at times donning Arab robes and later in his life, his Royal Air Force uniform. Some of these portraits now are in the leading collections of English museums.

The Spanish artist Fernando Andrea has created a realistic impression of Lawrence on campaign, wearing full Arab robes and mounted on his camel. Mr. Andrea is a leading small scale sculptor whose work is well known and sought by collectors from around the world. He sculpts in a realistic style with a painstaking attention to historically accurate detail. This bronze sculpture portrays Lawrence wearing his Arab robes and dagger. His abayeh is flowing in the wind as he adjusts his keffiyah tightly around his face. His camel’s woven saddlebags are captured exactly. Numerous tassels are swaying, emphasizing a gentle movement. And finally and most importantly, Lawrence himself is shown with a remarkable likeness.