4263

Rowland Thomas Baring, 2nd Earl of Cromer 1927

Half-length in three-quarter profile to the left, wearing a greatcoat over court dress and a number of decorations, including the sash of the GCVO across his chest, the GCVO star pinned above it and the star of GCIE (Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire) immediately above, holding the hilt of his sword with his left hand.

Oil on canvas, 98.7 x 79.7 cm (38 ⅞ x 31 ⅜ in.)

Inscribed, lower left: de László / 1927. XII.

Laib L15000 (782) / C6 (19)

NPG Album 1927-28, p. 5

Sitters’ Book II, f. 51: Cromer January 1927.

Private Collection

This portrait, commissioned by Lord Cromer as a surprise for his wife, was painted over the course of a year. Even though de László repeatedly attempted to make arrangements to complete the portrait, first before his departure for Spain in April 1927 – where he painted the Royal family – and then in the summer, before his trip to Hungary,^[1] this could not be done. Lord Cromer was an extremely busy man, and his young children were very important to him. On two occasions, he declined to shorten his family holiday so that the portrait be completed.^[2] De László’s correspondence reveals that he started the portrait in December 1926. Lord Cromer then gave a series of five sittings to the artist in February 1927,^[3] by which time the painting was nearly finished, but it was not before 17 December 1927 that de László finished and signed the portrait.

In 1925, de László painted portraits of Lord Cromer’s wife [4270] and his daughter Lady Rosemary [6762]. Before long, the artist became quite close to the family, whom he clearly admired. Having already offered Lady Cromer a full-length study portrait of her in 1925 [4272], he also gave the present portrait to them as a token of his friendship. In a letter to Lady Cromer, de László explained: “[I am] glad you accept the portrait as a token of my devotion to you both – the hours I had the pleasure to see you & Lord Cromer in my studio – being amongst those which I will always much cherish.”^[4] The admiration was reciprocal, Lady Cromer having written a very grateful and appreciative letters a few days earlier: “I feel I cannot leave for the country […] without again telling you how enchanted I am with my husband’s portrait. The likeness is so excellent, & altogether the picture is such a clever one that I do hope that you realize how immensely I shall value this wonderful possession for which I can never thank you enough. Visits to your studio & watching you at work on your beautiful pictures is always such an intense joy, one comes away refreshed from seeing your splendid portraits & also stimulated as well, by the vigour of your art, & the interest of our many conversations to which I shall always look back with so much pleasure.”^[5]

Rowland Thomas Baring was born on 29 November 1877 in Cairo, the elder son of Evelyn Baring, later 1st Earl of Cromer (1841-1917) and his wife Ethel Stanley (d. 1898). He was educated at Eton, but left early at the request of his father to learn foreign languages. He entered the diplomatic service in 1900, and between 1902 and 1906 served as third and second secretary at Cairo, Tehran, and St. Petersburg. He subsequently transferred to the Foreign Office, where he held various posts until his resignation in 1911. On 4 April 1908 he married Lady Ruby Elliot (1886-1961), the daughter of the 4th Earl of Minto, at St. Margaret’s Church, Westminster, London. There were three children of the marriage: Rosemary (born 1908) [6762], Violet (born 1911) [8244], and George Rowland (born 1918). Throughout his life, he was a devoted family man, despite his demanding career.

In 1913, Rowland Thomas Baring became a managing director of Baring Brothers, and the following year joined the Grenadier Guards. From 1915 to 1916 he was ADC to Lord Hardinge of Penshurst and to Lord Chelmsford, in their role as Viceroys of India. In 1916 he was appointed assistant private secretary and equerry to King George V, and in 1917, he succeeded his father as the 2nd Earl of Cromer. From 1920 to 1921, and then from 1921 to 1922, he acted as Chief of Staff during the Duke of Connaught’s and the Prince of Wales’s respective visits to India. In 1922, he was sworn of the Privy Council. On his return, he was appointed Lord Chamberlain, an office he kept until 1938. He particularly enjoyed his role as censor of plays, developing an expertise in theatre. In 1938, he became a permanent Lord-in-Waiting to George VI, and, later, to Elizabeth II. He was also at various times a British government director of the Suez Canal Company, as well as director of the Peninsular and Oriental (P&O) and the British India Steam navigation companies. He had interests in various banking and insurance ventures, and was also dedicated to the Cheyne Hospital for Children, and was President of the National Hospital for Chest Diseases. He received the Grand Cross in the Orders of the Bath, the Indian Empire, and the Royal Victorian Order, and in 1935, received the Royal Victorian Chain. Lord Cromer died on 13 May 1953 at his London home, 20 Devonshire Place.

EXHIBITED:

•French Gallery, London, A Series of Portraits and Studies by Philip A. de László, M.V.O., May-June 1929, no. 26

•French Gallery, London, One Hundred and Thirty Fourth Exhibition: a Series of Portraits and Studies by Philip A. de László, M.V. O., July 1929, no. 11

LITERATURE:        

•The Queen, 21 August 1935, p. 15, ill.

•DLA123-0014, letter from Lord Cromer to de László, 14 December 1926

•DLA117-0129, letter from Lord Cromer to de László, 29 January 1927

•DLA117-0144, letter from Lord Cromer to de László, 27 August 1927

•DLA117-0136, letter from Lady Cromer to de László, 23 December 1927

•DLA121-0004, letter from de László to Lady Cromer, 29 December 1927

CC 2008