4102

Joan Clarkson 1935

Seated three-quarter length to the right, with her left elbow resting on the back of her chair, full face and looking to the viewer, wearing a white satin décolleté evening dress, a large diamond ring and two jewelled bracelets, a patterned stole draped over the chair and spilling onto her lap on her left

Oil on canvas, 127 x 101.6 cm (50 x 40 in.)

Inscribed lower right: de László / 1935 XII

Laib L19512(507) / C17(24A)  Mrs. Mollison

NPG Album 1935, p. 23

Sitters’ Book II, opp. f. 85: Joan Mollison Oct 28 - 1935

Private Collection

Joan Clarkson visited de László at his studio in Fitzjohn’s Avenue 14 October 1935 and he noted in his diary that he thought her, “very handsome” with “very nice fine features – & lovely Eyes – good figure.”^[1] The first sitting took place 19 October when he “did sketches for the movements,”^[2] with further sittings  28, 29 and 30 October. De László made alterations on 4 November, “changed her left arm – of which the lines are now much more graceful – and less strained.”^[3] The artist seems to have enjoyed painting her: “she is very paintable – but keeps very silent – has nothing to say – and much to hide – but I like to paint her portrait – lovely in calour [sic] & graceful – & not interfering which is a great help.”^[4] The artist’s diary records one further sitting with her on 5 November.^[5]

Joan Clarkson was born 14 March 1903 in London, daughter of Frederick Clarkson and his wife Ellen Teresa Hunt. She was an actress, known for The Knocking on the Door (1923), The Miracle (1923) and The Fungi Cellars (1923). She also performed in the Cole Porter musicals staged by the theatre manager Sir Charles Cochran, who had produced the Ballets Russes in London and was later manager of the Royal Albert Hall. She married William Mollison, but the marriage was later dissolved.

She died 19 June 1982.

PROVENANCE:

Sold Sotheby’s, London, Modern British Paintings, Drawings and Sculpture, 13 May 1987, lot 66

Christopher Wood Gallery;

Sold to a private collection, 1994

EXHIBITED:

•Christopher Wood Gallery, Edwardian Elegance: An Exhibition of English Portraits and Figure Subjects, 1890-1930, 2-28 November 1987, ill. in catalogue (not paginated)

•Christopher Wood Gallery at Mallet, An Exhibition of  Paintings, Watercolours, Drawings and Works of Art, 22  November-2 December 1988

•Christopher Wood Gallery, Elegant Ladies in English and French Art, Monday, 7 March 1994

LITERATURE:

•Apollo, November 1987, ill. p. 37

•Windsor, John, “Auctions,” The Independent, 4 June 1994

•László, Philip de László, June-November 1935 diary, private collection, 14 October 1935 entry, p. 131; 15 October 1935 entry, p. 132 [second entry for that date]; 19 October 1935 entry, p. 135; 28 October 1935 entry, p. 141; 29 October 1935 entry, p. 142; 30 October 1935 entry, p. 142; 4 November 1935 entry, p. 149; 5 November 1935 entry, p. 149

KF 2017