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1977, I was commissioned by His Excellency Ambassador Antonio
Fernandez to travel to Africa to paint state portraits of three
Nigerian kings. I began with His Majesty the Alafin of Oyo (pictured
here sitting for a preliminary study). Next was the Oni of Ife.
We were to travel on to Kano, in northern Nigeria, to paint
His Highness the Emir. As we were leaving for Kano, the U.S.
State Department imposed a travel ban on Americans intending
to visit Kano State. It would be 23 years before Elizabeth and
I finally made it back to Nigeria to do the Emir's portrait.
J.H.S.
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