112514

DESTROYED

The Honourable Alanson Bigelow Houghton, American Ambassador to the Court of St James's 1928

Half-length, slightly to the left, looking full face to the viewer, wearing white tie, a cloak draped over his shoulders

Oil on canvasboard, 40.6 x 32.4 cm (16 x 12 ¾ in.)

Studio Inventory, p. 68 (358): H.E. Mr. Houghton, U.S. Ambassador. Painted in London. 

De László made a preparatory drawing [111626] and this preparatory oil study for the finished portrait of Houghton [5800], painted during his tenure as American Ambassador to the Court of St James’s. This was typical of his working process for larger three-quarter and full-length canvases and particularly important commissions. It remained in the artist’s studio until his death when it was destroyed in accordance with the terms of his will.

PROVENANCE:

In the artist’s studio until his death

KF 2020