3287

Preparatory work

Viscount Cecil of Chelwood 1932

Seated three-quarter length in a chair, his head turned slightly to the left, wearing robes over a suit and holding a book in his right hand

Charcoal on buff paper, 33 x 21.6 cm (13 x 8 ½ in.)

Inscribed lower right: Study for the portrait / of Lord Cecil / de László / 1932 

Sitters’ Book II, opp. f. 73: Cecil 1 June 1932

Studio Inventory, p. 164 (340): Study of Lord Robert Cecil

Private Collection

The present drawing was done in preparation for the formal three-quarter length portrait that de László painted of the sitter for Birmingham University [4053]; there exists another sketch in oil which remained in the possession of the artist on his death [4058]. De László also painted a head and shoulders study portrait that same year which remains in a private collection [4055], and for which there also exists a red chalk drawing [3292] and a drawing in charcoal [110603].

PROVENANCE:

In the possession of the artist on his death;

John de Laszlo, fifth and youngest son of the artist

KF 2015