111420

Lady Somers, née Finola Daisy Meeking 1926

Head and shoulders slightly to the left, head turned and looking right, a pale blue wrap just indicated and a double strand of pearls round her neck

Oil on board, 90 x 70 cm (35 ½ x 27 ⅝ in.)

Inscribed lower right: de László / 1926

Private Collection

This portrait was commissioned by the sitter’s sister Lady Apsley [3534] in 1924 while sitting for her own portrait: “An aunt has left me a little legacy of £100 and I am wondering if you could possibly do me a little coloured sketch of my sister, Lady Somers … She is so pretty and I know you would find her a good sitter! I don't mind how small a thing it is but I should so love to have something nice of her for my own room.”^[1] 

The commission was not completed at that time but Lady Somers sat to de László for a three-quarter length portrait in riding habit in 1925 [7187] at the request of her father-in-law Herbert Johnson. That portrait was a pendant to one of her sister, also in hunting dress, painted in the same year [3537]. A preparatory study [112650] remained in the artist’s studio until his death and was destroyed in accordance with the terms of his will.

Lady Apsley wrote to de László in April 1926 to remind him about this commission, as Lady Somers was about to depart for Australia: “You know my sister is going abroad for five years on May 20th as her husband has been made K.G.M.G. and Governor of Victoria in Australia in succession to Lord Stradbroke. Do you remember I once told you that I had had a £100 legacy from an old aunt and you said you might do a sketch for me of my sister. Do you think you could possibly do so? I should not mind how tiny it is but should like a touch or two of your brush on a bit of brown canvas to remind me of her for the long five years absence.”^[2] 

A study portrait of the sitter’s husband 6th Baron Somers was painted in 1929 [7196].

For biographical notes on the sitter, see [7187].

PROVENANCE:

Lady Apsley, sister of the sitter;

By descent in the family

LITERATURE:

DLA117-0066, letter from Lady Apsley to de László, 16 July 1924

DLA117-0053, letter from Lady Apsley to de László, 30 April 1926

KF 2022