84

DESTROYED

Preparatory work

Queen Marie of Romania, née Princess Marie of Edinburgh 1936

Almost half-length, slightly left, head turned three-quarter profile, wearing court dress with decorations, a tiara, pearl-drop earrings and a long necklace

Oil on canvasboard, 74.9 x 49.5 cm (29 ½ x 19 ½ in.)

Sitters’ Book II, f. 85: Marie / Marie, / Cotroceni / Feb. 1936

Studio Inventory, p. 40 (206): H.M. Queen Marie of Roumania. Study for the portrait commissioned by the National Bank of Roumania Bucharest, where it now hangs with that of King Ferdinand (a posthumous work) and of King Carol. Painted in Bucharest.

This is one of two oil studies [3204] de László completed for his first idea for the portrait of Queen Marie for the National Bank of Romania [2961]. He was dissatisfied and began the portrait again as a full-length portrait seated [3211] in a black gown. The abandoned portrait, two oil studies, and a preparatory drawing [111639] remained in the artist’s studio until his death. This is one of some three hundred pictures that were burnt in the Fulham incinerator by order of the artist’s executors, as de László wished no work unworthy of him to survive.

Queen Marie began sitting for her portrait 1 February 1936 and recorded this work in her diary that day: “In the morning he made a rough sketch of my head with incredible rapidity and sureness – a marvellous touch and such perfect colouring and feeling for line, knowledge of bone construction bringing out the best in a face.”^[1] 

For biographical notes on the sitter and a full description of the commission, see [2961].

PROVENANCE:

In the possession of the artist on his death;

Destroyed in accordance with the artist’s will, 1947

LITERATURE:

•Roumania, Queen Marie of, Diaries, vol. III / 195 (film reel 489), pp. 77, National Archives, Bucharest

KF 2014