112356

DESTROYED

VERSO

Preparatory work

Fürstin zu Fürstenberg, née Countess Irma von Schönborn-Buchheim; wife of Max Egon II

Head and shoulders to the right, head turned in three-quarter profile and looking to the right

Oil on board, 71.1 x 96.5 cm (28 x 38 in.)

Studio Inventory, p. 19 (113 rev.): Head of a Lady.

This may be a preparatory oil study for de László’s three-quarter length portrait of Fürstin Irma zu Fürstenberg [5297] which he began in Vienna in March 1899. He wrote to his friend and mentor Elek Lippich [112171], 12 April 1899, that he had abandoned his first version as he was dissatisfied with the pose.

The appearance of the head study is also similar to a portrait of the sitter in Van Dyck dress [112072] that he completed at Schloss Donaueschingen. The recto of this board [112355] is a preparatory work for the final version, which must have been made in Vienna; but it is possible that he took this board with him to finish the three-quarter length.

De László painted comtesse Jean de Castellane [3769] in October 1899 and used a very similar composition as the present portrait for that picture. The comtesse was the widow of Max Egon II Fürst zu Fürstenberg’s [3600] cousin Karl Egon IV.

For biographical notes on the sitter see [5297].

PROVENANCE:

In the possession of the artist on his death;

Destroyed in accordance with the terms of the artist’s will

LITERATURE:

•NSzL150-0072, letter from de László to Elek Lippich, 12 April 1899, Vienna

KF 2018