The Storyteller

Description: The artist originally painted this scene in a smaller version, which was subsequently appropriated by his youngest son, Jim (currently in his possession). The artist, experiencing a deep sense of loss for this, one of his most prized works, painted a second larger version, which is now hanging in his studio and which it is reported that he guards jealously. The scene of the painting is a French wine cellar. The individuals in the background are having a laugh at the grand tale the subject is telling. It is the original smaller version which is depicted here and was painted while the artist was serving as the Commander of the International Headquarters and Support Command in SHAPE Headquarters, Mons, Belgium.