112890

VERSO

Preparatory drawing

Princess Alexis Kara-Georgevitch, née Myra Pankhurst 1930

Seated three-quarter length to the right in a square-backed French armchair, looking to the left, her left hand in her lap, her right at her side, wearing an evening gown, a three-stranded pearl necklace and a choker

Pencil on buff paper, 36.9 x 29.2 cm (14 ½ x 11 ½ in.)

Inscribed lower right [upside down]: Princess Karageorgevitch [in the hand of John de Laszlo, son of the artist]

Sitters’ Book II, opp. f. 66: Daria Princesse Kara-Georgevitch June 26, 1930

Studio Inventory, p. 155 (205): Studies of Princess Karageorgevitch / (Both sides)

Private Collection

De László made two preparatory drawings on the recto and verso of the same sheet for his three-quarter length portrait of Princess Kara-Georgevitch, painted in London in 1930 [5857]. The position of her left hand differs from the composition of the finished picture and from the first preparatory drawing [5860] where both hands are placed in her lap.

For biographical notes on the sitter, see [5857].

PROVENANCE:

In possession of the artist on his death;

By descent in the family;

Sold at Christie’s South Kensington, 13 June 1997, part of lot 82

KF 2018