German Emperor Wilhelm II, King of Prussia 1908

Standing full-length wearing full dress uniform in a landscape, his right hand holding the reins of his horse, his left hand on his sword, a Borzoi dog at his feet, a classical archway behind to the right

Oil on board, 78 x 52 cm (30 ½ x 20 ½ in.)

Sitters’ Book I, f. 82: Wilhelm / I.R.II / XII 1908. [on the opposite page a photograph of two gentlemen and a lady in hunting attire, inscribed by the artist verso: 1909 / Aug: / Wilhelmshöhe / während eines / ausfluges mit / dem Kaiser (during an excursion with The Kaiser)]

Studio Inventory, p. 35 (183): The Kaiser WIlhelm II with his Horse and Dog. A Study. The finished portrait was painted in Potsdam Berlin all but the background. Studies for this were made in Kensington Gardens and the Kaiser did not see the completed work until 1912, when he opened the Artist's Exhibition in London (Fine Art Society). When he saw the finished work he was delighted with it but jokingly remarked on the background, "Why Autumn? Am I a falling leaf?" (See also 164, 165 165 rev., 189 and 219 rev.)

PROVENANCE:

In the possession of the artist on his death;

John de Laszlo

LITERATURE:

•Rutter, Owen, Portrait of a Painter, London, 1939, pp. 268-9

Entry in Progress