Lawrence of Arabia: The Brough vs The Bristol

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In a blaze of evening sunlight and motion, Terence Cuneo’s characterful oil painting captures one of the most exhilarating and improbable moments in British aviation folklore: a race between T.E Lawrence on his beloved Brough motorbike and a Bristol Fighter biplane.

Better known as the military strategist Lawrence of Arabia, T.E Lawrence was a British Army officer who infamously fought alongside Arab forces in the Middle East during the First World War, playing a pivotal part in the fall of Damascus and the end of Ottoman rule. 

In 1922, keen to seek anonymity following his legendary wartime exploits, Lawrence enlisted in the RAF under the alias Ross, joining the ranks as a humble aircraftman.

It was during this chapter of his life, while stationed at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire, that Lawrence developed a passion for speed and a particular fondness for powerful motorcycles. He owned a succession of Brough Superiors, machines known for their beauty and ferocity. One such machine features prominently in the story behind Cuneo’s painting.

^{▲ Terence Cuneo (1907-1996), 'Lawrence of Arabia' (£10,000-15,000)}

It is said that one evening in the mid-1920s, Lawrence set off from his base at Cranwell and was riding along quiet country roads on his beloved Brough Superior SS100 motorcycle when suddenly a large shadow cut across the early evening sun. Overhead a Bristol Fighter from Whitewash Villas, a nearby aerodrome, swooped low.  The pilot dipped his wings in a playful challenge, waved, and pointed down the road toward Lincoln.

It was a challenge that Lawrence couldn’t resist and what followed was an impromptu race that Lawrence recalls in vivid detail in his autobiographical book ‘The Mint’. Lawrence recounts the sheer velocity and thrill as “I sat hard in the saddle, folded back my ears and went away after him, like a dog after a hare …”

In the chapter ‘The Road’ Lawrence describes the race:

‘The next mile of road was rough. I braced my feet into the rests, thrust with my arms and clenched my knees on the tank till its rubber grips goggled under my thighs. Over the first pothole Boanerges screamed in surprise, its mud-guard bottoming with a yawp upon the tyre. Through the plunges of the next ten seconds I clung on, wedging my gloved hand in the throttle lever so that no bump should close it and spoil our speed. Then the bicycle wrenched sideways into three long ruts: it swayed dizzily wagging its tail for thirty awful yards. Out came the clutch, the engine raced freely: Boa checked and straightened his head with a shake, as a Brough should.’

^{Lawrence of Arabia Brough Superior [Source: Wikimedia Commons]}

Decades later, in the 1980s, this moment in time was re-enacted at the Snetterton Racetrack by The T E Lawrence society and was documented in their newsletter. The legendary story captured the imagination of David McCleave who immediately thought of it as a perfect subject for a painting by Terence Cuneo. A passionate collector of Cuneo’s work and a close friend of the artist, David commissioned Cuneo to recreate the legendary moment on canvas.

Best known for his masterful portrayals of trains, military scenes, and a respected member of The Guild of Aviation Artists, Cuneo was the ideal choice for such a commission and uniquely equipped to translate the memorable event into visual form. Driven by a shared commitment to accuracy and authenticity, it was agreed that David would lead the research, while Cuneo would create the painting, and together the pair embarked on a series of research trips.

It was discovered that Lawrence’s original Brough no longer existed, however with the help of the Brough Owner Register’s secretary another identical model was found in Nottingham. David contacted the owner who was more than happy to have his machine sketched and photographed. David and Terence Cuneo duly set off for Nottingham with David’s grandson Andrew. Once there, ‘The owner wheeled out the machine, started it second kick and gave a demonstration ride round his garden. Andrew donned pieces of costume including gauntlets and a London Transport Inspectors flat hat and T.C. sketched and photographed’.

^{▲ Terence Cuneo (1907-1996), 'Lawrence of Arabia' (£10,000-15,000)}

Further research revealed that the Bristol Fighter was still in existence at the Shuttleworth Collection in Bedfordshire, and arrangements to visit were made. David documented how: ‘Cash inducements were required to extract the aeroplane from its hanger, which T.C. thought highly amusing but on our second visit the hanger door was open and the machine being so beautifully balanced, T.C and I simply eased up the tail fin and the plane rolled out. T.C remarked that the saving would pay for lunch!!’

By sketching and photographing firsthand, Cuneo was able to collect the visual references essential for creating a painting rich in historical detail.

The finished work is a painting not only historically accurate but also bursting with movement, colour, and character. The dynamic composition and lively brushwork superbly capture the sheer exhilaration of the race: the Bristol Fighter roars low over the Lincolnshire flats, while below, Lawrence leans forward, fully consumed in the chase aboard his sleek Brough. Affectionately named ‘Boa’, short for Boanerges, meaning ‘Son of Thunder,’ one can almost hear the roar of the motorcycle’s engine as the road unspools ahead of Lawrence. The sky glows with warm evening light and in a delightful signature touch, Cuneo’s trademark mouse leads the race just ahead of the bike- a humorous detail in an otherwise tense and thrilling scene.

^{Pam and David McCleave}

Since its completion in 1990, the painting has remained in the private collection of David and Pam McCleave, and Sworders are pleased to be bringing the work to the market for the first time. This is a significant painting not only for its artistic brilliance but also as a celebration of history, depicting a fleeting moment alive with light, speed, and the timeless thrill of the open road and sky whilst also perfectly capturing the essence of Lawrence’s legendary heroism and daring spirit of adventure.

Tuesday 7 October | 10am

pictures@sworder.co.uk | 01279 817778

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