112491

DESTROYED

Baron Frigyes Harkányi 1912

Seated three-quarter length to the right, in three-quarter profile and looking to the viewer, wearing a dark suit, his right hand resting on his right thigh

Oil on board, 40.6 x 33 cm (16 x 13 in.)

Sitters’ Book I, f. 90: Báró Harkányi Frigyes /v.b.t.t.^[1]/ London, 1912 Septembr 4

Studio Inventory, p. 63 (328): Study of an Elderly Gentleman. It has been suggested that this is a Study of Sir Hubert Herkomer.

When compared to the four other likenesses of Baron Frigyes Harkányi that de László painted in August and September 1912, there can be no reason to doubt that this is a preparatory oil study for the finished three-quarter length [111091] that had been commissioned by his son Baron János Harkányi. A second preparatory work [112470] shows the subject standing. The artist decided on a seated composition in the finished picture, suggesting this may have been the second preparatory work completed.

The artist’s Studio Inventory states that the artist Sir Hubert Herkomer (1849-1914) had been proposed as the subject for the present picture, but the artist is not known to have painted him. The Inventory was compiled in 1938 with help from de László’s studio assistant Francis Harwood, who did not start working for the artist until the late 1920s, thus leading to some inaccurate identifications.

The missing top of the sitter’s head from the composition and the smaller measurements of the board compared to [112470], suggest that the picture has been cut down prior to 1938.  

De László also completed two study portraits during the sitting, one as part of the commission [5572] for the sitter’s family and a second [5575] which he kept for his own collection and remained in his possession until his death.

For biographical notes on the sitter, see [111091].

PROVENANCE:

Destroyed in accordance with the artist’s will, 1947

KF 2018