2761

Preparatory work

Edward Lyulph Stanley, 4th Baron Stanley of Alderley and 3rd Baron Eddisbury 1904

Half-length to the right, looking to the left, wearing a dark suit and waistcoat, white shirt and red tie

Oil on board, 74.3 x 47 cm (29 ¼ x 18 ½ in.)

Inscribed lower right: László

Sitters’ Book I, opp. f. 68: Stanley of Alderley

Private Collection

The present portrait is a preparatory study for a three-quarter length portrait of Lord Stanley of Alderley painted in 1904 [12808]. At this stage in his career, de László still made such careful sketches, but would soon gain enough confidence to start “drawing with his brush”, alla prima, on the canvas destined for the finished portrait. In this instance, de László made at least three studies, including the present one, in preparation for this important commission. There also exists a preparatory drawing, which remained in the possession of the artist on his death [7287].

This study was painted at the sitter’s home, Alderley Park in Cheshire. According to Lord Stanley’s grandson, de László was dissatisfied with this work and consequently threw it away. However, the sitter’s nineteen-year-old daughter Blanche retrieved the painting from the wastepaper basket while de László was out of the room. The marks where de László folded the board can just be seen still. De László painted Lord Sheffield again in 1919 in gratitude for all his support during his internment [2065].

For biographical notes on the sitter, see [12808].

CC 2008