4911

Evelyn Hill, Marchioness of Downshire, née Evelyn Grace Foster  1919

Half-length in profile to the left, three-quarter face turned and looking over her left shoulder towards the viewer, wearing a purple and gold shot organza stole around her bare shoulders

Oil on canvas, 91.5 x 61 cm (36 x 24 in.)

Inscribed lower right: de László / 1919 / XI   

Laib L9025 (7) / C23 (33): Lady Col. Rapington [sic]

NPG 1917-1921 Album, p. 104

Sitter’s Book II, f. 13: Evelyn Downshire 18 Dec 1919

Ulster Museum, Belfast on loan to Hillsborough Castle

This portrait was commissioned by an intimate friend of the sitter, Colonel Repington, which explains de László’s studio photographer Paul Laib’s confusion in labelling his photograph of the work (see above). A letter dated 14 November 1919 indicates that the Colonel attended the first sitting with Lady Downshire: “I really must write you a few lines to congratulate you upon that supreme example of your divine art which you gave us this afternoon. It seemed to me the work of a magician, and I still marvel that you could have transferred to canvas in one short half hour such an extraordinarily perfect representation of that charming lady…Almost could I wish it to remain untouched so greatly does it fascinate me but you are the best judge.”^[1] 

De László also painted a fine head study of the Colonel in 1920 [6801]. The correspondence between Repington and de László relating to this portrait reveals that the artist recommended a “Spanish frame”^[2] from Remy or Buck,^[3] frame which Repington purchased from the latter, and had adjusted for the present work. A letter dated 28 November 1919 suggests that the sittings for the portrait were interrupted by de László’s “visit to the country,”^[4] from which he was due to return on 9 December. Four days later, on 12 December 1919, Repington paid the artist for his commission, but it seems that the finishing touches still had to be made: “I am sending you a cheque for 100 guineas herewith for the very beautiful and striking portrait of Lady Downshire and with renewed thanks for giving me such a remarkable example of your art. Lady Downshire will probably be coming to town next week and I write to inquire whether you would care to finish the portrait either Tuesday or Thursday, or even Wednesday. Mr Buck promises the frame by Tuesday or Wednesday and you know how anxious I am to take the portrait away from you.”^[5] 

Evelyn Grace Mary Foster was born in June 1876, the eldest daughter of Edmund Benson Foster of Clewer Manor, Windsor, and his wife Edith Eleanor Grove. On 16 May 1907 she married Arthur Wills John Wellington Trumball Blundell Hill, 6th Marquess of Downshire (1871-1918) as his second wife. She was quite recently widowed when the present portrait was painted. She died on 30 December 1942.

PROVENANCE:          

Colonel Charles à Court Repington;

The sitter;

Bequeathed by the Trustees of the Downshire Estate to the Ulster Museum, 1944

EXHIBITED:          

•Drawings, Paintings & Sculpture, Museums & Galleries of Northern Ireland, 2000

LITERATURE:         

•Rutter, Owen, Portrait of a Painter, London 1939, p. 343

•A Concise Catalogue of the Drawings Paintings and Sculptures in the Ulster Museum, Ulster Museum, Botanic, Gardens, Belfast, 1986, p. 72

•Drawings, Paintings & Sculpture, Museums & Galleries of Northern Ireland, 2000, p. 56

•DLA082-0097, letter from Colonel Repington to de László, 14 November 1919

•DLA082-0096, letter from Colonel Repington to de László, 28 November 1919

•DLA082-0098, letter from Colonel Repington to de László, 12 December 1919

CC 2008