9045

Mrs Stephenson Clarke, née Agnes Maria Bridger 1906

Seated half-length slightly to the right, full face and looking to the viewer, her hands on her lap holding a fan, a purple stole round her shoulders

Oil on board, 35.5 x 28 cm (14 x 11 in.)

Studio Inventory, 1938, p. 76 (410): Study of an Elderly Lady, seated, black dress with purple drapery

New Place Hotel, Southampton

De László spent six weeks in England in the early summer of 1906, painting General Sir Francis Lloyd [12017] and his wife [11994], whom he had met in Vienna that February. It is not known how he became acquainted with Agnes Clarke but a letter from her son, Doctor Louis Clarke [4071], indicates that they had already been in contact and the artist suggested a date of 15 June to begin her portrait [4080].^[1] This is a preparatory study for that portrait, which helped de László decide on the composition and balance of colour before painting directly onto the canvas.

The present picture remained in the artist’s studio until his death in 1937, and was unidentified in the Studio Inventory compiled by his executors.

PROVENANCE:  

In the possession of the artist on his death;

Stephen de Laszlo, his second son;

By descent;

Sold Christie’s South Kensington, 13 June 1997, lot 70;

Private Collection;

Sold Rosebery’s, London, 22 November 2023, lot 296;

New Place Hotel, Southampton

LITERATURE:

•DLA062-0019, letter from Dr Louis Colville Clarke to de László, 3 May 1906  

KF 2025