112620

DESTROYED

Professor John Scott Haldane 1933

Seated half-length slightly to the right, head turned full face to the viewer and looking slightly left, wearing a dark suit and tie with a gold watch chain in his waistcoat and holding a book on his lap

Oil on canvas, 91.4 x 71.1 cm (36 x 28 in.)

Sitters’ Book II, opp. f. 76: J. S. Haldane Sept. 11, 1933

Studio Inventory, p. 94 (517): Professor Haldane. Re-stretched 1938.

This is the first version of a formal portrait of the scientist John Scott Haldane. It was rejected by de László in favour of a larger canvas for the three-quarter length finished portrait [5554]. It remained rolled up in the artist’s studio until his death. It was later destroyed in accordance with the terms of the artist’s will.

PROVENANCE:

In the possession of the artist on his death;

Destroyed in accordance with the terms of the artist’s will, 1947

KF 2021