5020

Preparatory work

Three Generations of the Elwes Family 1920

Henry John Elwes seated on a bench in the centre; his son, Henry Cecil, in service dress standing behind to the right and his grandson John standing on the left, a tree and sky in the background

Oil on canvasboard, 39.4 x 31.8 cm (15 ½ x 12 ½ in.)

Inscribed verso, top left: 347   

Sitters’ Book II, f. 13: H J Elwes Feb 6. 1920 / H. C. Elwes. Feb  6th 1920

Sitters’ Book II, f. 14: John Elwes April 20th 1920

Studio Inventory p. 66 (347): Study for a conversation piece, three men and a boy

Private Collection

This is a preparatory oil sketch for the Elwes group portrait, painted during a visit to the Elwes family home Colesbourne Park, Gloucestershire. De László made these preparatory oil sketches to decide the poses and colour balance for his most important and complex works. In this instance, de László finally placed Lt Colonel Henry Cecil Elwes seated on the same bench as his father [5014].  

For biographical notes on the sitters, see [5014].

PROVENANCE:         

In the possession of the artist on his death;

By descent

CC 2008