12925

Paul and Patrick de Laszlo 1916

Half-length, dressed in Pierrot costumes

Oil on panel, 43.2 x 32.4 cm (17 x 12 ¾ in.)

Inscribed lower left: Paul and Patrick / Easter 1916 / Melbreck by Daddy

Laib L7983(275) / C19(24A) Paul and Patrick de Laszlo

NPG 1915-16 Album, p.15a

Studio Inventory, p.77 (414): Paul and Patrick de Laszlo in fancy dress (Pierrots)

Private Collection

The family spent April and May 1916 at Melbreck in Tilford, home of Lucy’s distant cousin Professor Frederick Trouton [5468]. The Trouton and de László families were very close and the artist had painted or drawn their three sons in uniform the previous year [7521]. Tragically, two failed to return from the war [11593] [7519]. This portrait is in stark contrast to current world events with Lucy remarking they “had delightful holidays – glorious weather – every body well – games golf, visitors, music, lessons, readings.”^[1]

Paul [13214] and Patrick [9205] were the artist’s third and fourth sons and their resemblance is striking. The blue Guinness eyes are particularly bright against their pale faces and red hair. They are dressed in classic white Pierrot costumes, which first appeared on the stages of Paris in the late 17th century and were often depicted in paintings and theatricals in England, Italy and France in the 18th and 19th centuries. During the First World War there were many troupes of Pierrots in British regiments for the soldiers’ entertainment.^[2] It was also a popular children’s costume and the artist painted a portrait of his youngest son John wearing one on 5 May 1916 [11033], soon after the present portrait.

PROVENANCE:

In the possession of the artist on his death;

Stephen de Laszlo, his second son

EXHIBITED:

•Gainsborough’s House, Sudbury, Philip de László: Master of Elegance, 2024, no. 35

LITERATURE:

•László, Lucy de, 1916 diary, private collection, 8 May entry, p. 127

•Field, Katherine, with essays by Sandra de Laszlo and Richard Ormond, Philip de László: Master of Elegance, Blackmore, 2024, p. 123, ill. p. 122

KF 2024