111345

Portrait drawing

Mary Veronica Calvocoressi 1919

Head and shoulders in three-quarter profile to the left

Charcoal on paper, [dimensions unknown]

Inscribed lower left: Veronica / 1919 / VII

Inscribed lower right: P.A. de László

Newspaper Cuttings II scrapbook, p. 47

Sitters’ Book II, f. 10: Veronica Calvocoressi. 23.7.1919.

Sitter’s Book II, opp. f. 12: Veronica Calvocoressi. June 1919.

Private Collection

De László often surprised his sitters with an unexpected portrait as a souvenir of an enjoyable series of sittings and made this drawing while painting a three-quarter length portrait of the sitter [2307]. A letter from her mother to the artist reveals that he had intended to keep the picture for himself as a souvenir: “How can I thank you for the charming sketch of Veronica? It is quite lovely & the only thing that spoils my pleasure in having it is that you did not keep it for yourself, as I know you wanted one. Please let me know if at any time you want to make use of it.”

The drawing was exhibited alongside the oil portrait at the Walker Art Gallery in the autumn of 1919.

For biographical notes on the sitter, see [2307].

EXHIBITED:  

•Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, Autumn Exhibition, 1919, no. 1249

KF 2016