"The Woman's Voice" at Qaysariyyat al-Gemayel...

... In the outskirts of Bikfaya stands a villa, surrounded by gardens of trees and flowers, set apart from the massive buildings of that green neighborhood by a splendid artistic touch, and by care and taste. At the entrance of the lane leading to the villa is written "Qaysariyyat al-Gemayel" — prepare yourself, before stepping into the garden, to enjoy everything that delights the eye and stirs in the soul its musings and longings... How like appetizers this announcement is — making the mouth water and tempting the stomach with the delights of food!

It is only fair to say: this villa of César Gemayel is a small museum of art. No sooner have you crossed the threshold than you are stopped by the figures of slender young girls carved upon the doors, bearing baskets of grapes and jars of water, with deer and goats around them, and a flute player... sweet pictures from our own mountain, threatened with extinction by the fingers of time, which the authentic Lebanese artist undertakes to immortalize — in time's despite!!

Inside the salon you are greeted by faces of tenderness, "the Gemayel girls" — speaking of allure, of innocence, of desire — and all of them distinguished by a soft "femininity"...

The second floor has its large share of paintings and artistic masterpieces: colors that clamor, harmonize here, dance there, and there sleep and dream, stirring in the soul all manner of sensations and tremors.

Sunset overtook us before we had had our fill of pictures and colors, and from the eastern balcony the eye delighted in the most splendid of living canvases: villages... near and far-flung, scattered here and there, forming for mighty Sannine the noblest frame the eye can fall upon!

On the way back at dusk, the family of "The Woman's Voice" carried off a bouquet of fragrant lavender — the finest of gifts from the garden of the artist Gemayel... He was also kind enough to answer a series of questions, as follows:

Q — What is your opinion of the modern schools of art, and is appreciation of them widespread in all popular circles?

A — The schools of art evolve as intellectual developments following important political events, and the results of these movements are always good, for the new spirit they breathe into the souls of artists. As for the masterpiece, it is a masterpiece in itself, whatever the school to which it belongs. Not all classical paintings are masterpieces, nor are all Impressionist paintings masterpieces, and what I say of these two schools I say of all the others. Wherever the great artist is found, masterpieces are found; and art was, still is, and will remain for the few.

Q — What is Lebanon's share in the modern worldwide artistic renaissance, and what is Lebanon's role in this renaissance?

A — Its share is to profit from all the schools and so to found a solid Lebanese school of art that will carry the structure of the generations to come, like the venerable European schools.

Q — To what extent are you devoting yourself to painting these days? And which of your artistic masterpieces is dearest to you?

A — I am spending my holiday among my books, my records, my brushes, and my colors, in the broad bosom of Sannine, between the arms of Kesrouan and Dhour el-Choueir. I need a complete rest to cure a troubled state of mind, the result of the continual anxiety caused by successive events. But I take no gloomy view of the temporary condition I am in — a period of rest, after which I shall throw myself into work with longing and love. As for the dearest of my paintings to me, it is the next one, God willing!!

Q — For which of the rising artists do you predict a brilliant future?

A — In Lebanon there are dozens of gifted artists in whom all our hopes rest; they represent all the modern schools and tendencies. Let us leave them to pursue their course, and let us pray for their success.

Q — In which seasons are you most productive?

A — Naturally in the temperate seasons, in which mind and body are at ease.

As though a perfumed fragrance wafts from this bouquet...
Clamoring in the splendor of its bright, laughing colors...