Hamed Owais, Al Zaim w Ta'mim Al Canal (Nasser and the Nationalisation of the Canal), 1957, Oil on Canvas, 109 x 135 cm.

In this work, the Egyptian artist Hamed Owais idealises the national icon of the Egyptian Revolution of 1952, Gamal Abdel Nasser at the historical event when he announced the nationalisation of the Suez Canal Company on 26 July 1956. Prior to this victory of independence, the Suez Canal was owned and operated by a joint French-British enterprise since its construction in the nineteenth century. This painting is based on the iconic imagery of President Gamal Abdel Nasser addressing masses of Egyptian people and supporters. It was interpreted and produced by Owais a year later in 1957. Like other artists from the same generation including Gamal el-Signi, Hamed Owais reverenced the paradigms of the revolution and its promised reformations.