111695

RECTO

Preparatory drawing

Ambrose Swasey 1931

Seated three-quarter length slightly to the left, looking full face to the viewer, his right hand on his right knee, wearing a suit

Charcoal heightened with white on buff paper, 35.5 x 24.1 cm (14 x 9 ½ in.)

Sitters’ Book II, opp. f. 70: [in the artist’s hand: U.S.A.] Ambrose Swasey October 27th 1931 / Cleveland Ohio

Private Collection

This is a preparatory drawing for the large portrait of Ambrose Swasey [7227] which had been commissioned by the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce. The artist enjoyed Swasey’s company, remarking in his diary 31 October: “Morning Swasey – progressing well – I wish time would allow me – to do studies of him – but must do a sketch for him.” It was typical of him to make a study portrait as a gift to his sitter, particularly one whose portrait had been commissioned by a third party. The study portrait is as yet untraced [44].

Preparatory drawings for the portraits of Effingham B. Morris [110470], Mrs William Lowe Rice [110475], and the Honourable Frank Billings Kellogg [5923] are verso [112256].

PROVENANCE:

In the possession of the artist on his death;

By descent to Henry de Laszlo, his eldest son

LITERATURE:

•László, Philip de, 1931 diary, private collection, October 31 entry, p. 308

KF 2016