10213

John Adolphus de Laszlo, ‘The Temptation’ 1919

Half-length in profile to the left, seated at a table wearing a blue dressing gown, looking at a glass bowl filled with oranges and apples, a pencil in his right hand and a drawing book before him on the table

Oil on board, 25.4 x 29.2 cm (10 x 11 ½ in.)

Inscribed lower left: 1919 . IV László 

Inscribed verso: Painted during three sittings. It was an inspiration which our dear Johnny gave me himself. I call this picture ‘The Temptation’

Private Collection

The present work was executed in May 1919, not long after de László painted The First Drawing Lesson, a full-length portrait of John drawing at a table in a panelled interior, also in profile to the left, wearing the same blue dressing gown [11772]. The artist executed at least six drawings and paintings in total on the subject of John drawing, and at least four pictures portray him in his blue dressing gown, one of which, also dated May, shows him holding the same fruit bowl [11031].

Despite all the similarities in subject and composition between the present painting and The First Drawing Lesson, the main focus of the latter was the suffused golden light that flooded the panelled room through the window – and its reflection in the mirror. Here, although the way in which the boy’s face is illuminated suggests a source of light, the atmosphere of the scene differs. The darkness of the wooden furniture and panelling that dominate the setting creates a warm domestic environment reminiscent of 17th century Dutch interiors like those of Nicolaes Maes.

For biographical notes on the sitter, see [11622].

CC 2011