9998

Gertrude Laughlin 1919

Seated half-length in three-quarter profile to the left, wearing a large white cap and white dress, holding a doll in her arms

Oil on canvas, 59.8 x 46.3 cm (23 ½ x 18 ¼ in.)

Inscribed lower left: to Gertrude from de László / 1919 IX.

Laib L10034 (140) / C15 (6): Laughlin Child

NPG Album 1917-21, p. 54

Private Collection

In 1912 de László had painted the sitter’s father Irwin Boyle Laughlin [11149], her mother in 1916 [9969], and a second portrait of Gertrude [11153] in 1919, all three of which are in the collection of Meridian International Centre. A portrait of the sitter’s brother Alexander was also painted in 1919 [9994] and remains in the same family collection as the present portrait.

In September 1919 de László visited the Laughlin family at their home, Reigate Priory in Surrey, to paint a portrait of the sitter. According to the sitter’s son, when de László was painting the first, more formal, portrait of the sitter, he “had her holding her doll rather casually by the arm. She was not happy with this pose and the [second] portrait…was given to her for her having cooperated with the adults.”^[1]

For biographical notes on the sitter, see [11153].

EXHIBITED:

•The Corcoran Gallery, Washington, D.C., Paintings by Philip A. de László, 26 February-20 March 1921, no. 34

LITERATURE:

•Baldry, Alfred L., “Some Paintings and Drawings by Mr P.A. de László,” The Studio, Vol. LXXXI, No. 335, 15 February 1921, p. 52, ill., p. 48

MD 2016