Portrait of Javier Perez de Cuellar
In this abstract art composition, you can see the shape and form of a person resting in his chair contrasted by the hub of activity around him. The artist, Hans Erni (1909 – 2015), said he tried to show the subject surrounded by fire yet still showing perseverance to reconcile people worldwide. The play of abstract forms near the traditional human figure and the figure are a play of shape, colour, and line that asks us to rethink what we are viewing.
Erni was an accomplished Swiss artist as a painter, sculptor, illustrator, and graphic designer. Erni was influenced by many other abstract artists, including Picasso. He illustrated postage stamps, posters, books, murals, and numerous other commissioned works. The Swiss government and several museums have held exhibitions of his work, and in 2009 Erni was awarded the SwissAward for lifetime accomplishment. He died at 106 years of age.
Javier Perez de Cuellar (1920 – 2020) was a Peruvian politician and diplomat. He served as United Nations Secretary-General from 1982 to 1995 and later became Peru’s Prime Minister, serving from 2000 to 2001. As Secretary-General, he led mediations for the Falklands war dispute, brought peace and stability in Central America, helped bring independence to Namibia, Croatia, and Serbia, and supported sustainable development with the World Commission on Environment and Development WCRD in 1983. He was an accomplished stateman and lived to be 100 years old.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony of the painting were Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Perez de Cuellar, and the artist Hans Erni. During the same ceremony, Perez de Cuellar received the United Nations Peace Medal.