Palms and gardens, Richon

Depicts a man in a red pot-like hat (called a tarboosh) and a group of Australian soldiers gathered near the Eagle Brewery Annex at Rishon le Zion. The scene is one of a lush oasis in the heat. with three large date palms dominating the foreground. Rishon le Zion is considered to be the first Zionist settlement in Palestine (now Israel). It was a fairly shaky proposition until Baron Rothschild began to pour money into it. Painted as part of the Syrian Campaign series. The campaign involved Australian troops, mostly from the 7th Division, fighting alongside allied troops against the Vichy French in Syria and Lebanon. The artist writes 'Troops on leave series...24. Palms and gardens, Richon - the bright light of day in the palms and greenery of the Eagle Brewery annex. A figure, wearing tarboosh, watches a small game of "two-up" being played (at left) by Australians.'