112389

RECTO

DESTROYED

Preparatory work

Mrs Arthur Graham Glasgow, née Margaret Branch 1910

Head and shoulders slightly to the left, full face to the viewer and looking right, wearing an evening gown and diadem in her hair  

Oil on board, 78.7 x 50.8 cm (31 x 20 in.)

Studio Inventory, p. 30 (160): 160 and 160 rev. both studies for a large picture in the possession of Mrs.Glasgow, Moncorvo House, S.W.7.

De László was commissioned to paint Mrs Glasgow in March 1910 and it is probable that this head study and the three-quarter length study on the verso [112390] were completed on her first visit to the studio on 7 March.

The artist discarded the first three-quarter length canvas [112576] which depicts Mrs Glasgow full face to the viewer, as in the present picture. This was typical of the artist whose technical facility and speed of execution made it possible to put aside a canvas and start again. Another study in the artist’s studio on his death shows that he also considered making the composition a seated one [112414] before returning to his original concept in full length [5353] rather than three-quarter length. The finished full-length picture was completed in early June.

De László admired the work of George Romney and this study echoes that artist’s unfinished portrait of Emma Hart as Circe in the collection of the Tate (N05591). These are the works for which he is best known, before Emma became famous as Lady Hamilton and lover of Admiral Nelson. The comparison with Romney was also commented upon by Oakley Williams in his description of de László’s study of Baronne Marcel Baeyens [2829], painted the following year.

For biographical notes on the sitter, see [5353].

PROVENANCE:

In the possession of the artist on his death;

Destroyed in accordance with the terms of the artist’s will

LITERATURE:

•László, Lucy de, 1910 diary, private collection

KF 2023