7501

Preparatory work

Baroness Leo d'Erlanger, née Miss Edwina Louise Prue 1935

Seated full-length, wearing a long-sleeved décolleté gown, full-face looking to the left, her right arm resting on the arm of a settee, her legs crossed, her left hand resting on the seat beside her and a large oriental vase containing two lilies indicated behind on the right

Oil on board, 48.9 x 38.8 cm (19 ¼  x 15 ¼ in.)

Sitters’ Book II, opp. f. 81: Edwina d’Erlanger January 21st 1935 

Studio Inventory, p. 54 (278): Mrs. Leo d’Erlanger.

Private Collection

This is a preparatory sketch which remains in the collection of a descendant of the artist for the full-length portrait of the Baroness d’Erlanger [4609]. De László would usually prepare for a complex portrait by completing pencil drawings and a preparatory oil sketch, very few variations would be expected in the final portrait. In this case, the composition, pose, and various objects within the composition are unchanged in the finished painting. Only the warm colour, which was transformed into a dominant pale lilac hue and the direction of the sitter’s gaze were modified by the artist for the final result.

CC 2008