(British/Hungarian, 1869-1937)

Full length, seated in a chair and holding a doll (D.L.A.T. no. 110664), 1934, signed and inscribed lower right "de Laszlo/N.Y. 1934", oil on canvas, 42-1/4 x 30 in.; 18/19th century original hand carved and gilt wood frame, impressed mark on cross brace and also on frame verso "M. Grieve Co./hand carved/New York & London", 48-3/4 x 36 x 2-3/4 in.

Provenance: Commissioned by the sitter's mother, Caroline Lowe Patterson Bush (later Shaw) and her first husband James Smith Bush; to their daughter Flora Sheldon “Shelley” Estate of Flora Bush Jansing, First Cousin of George H.W. Bush

Note: The present work is included in the online Catalogue Raisonne of Works by Philip de Laszlo (1869-1937) at www.delaszlocatalogueraisonne.com. Their note regarding the painting is as follows:

"De László painted the sitter’s mother Caroline Lowe Bush in 1932 [111977] and the present portrait was painted in New York in 1934. It was photographed by Peter A. Juley & Son, the fine art photographers the artist used when in America. The artist recorded in his diary that he thought the four-year-old "very intelligent" and "pretty" at the time of her first sitting on 8 February, at which she was accompanied by her mother and grandmother. A preparatory drawing remains untraced, after which the artist began to paint and: "was lucky - inspired - found a very good movement - & began straight [sic] the canvas."

Subsequent sittings took place during the morning and afternoon of 9-10 February, and the morning of the 11th. De Laszlo recorded in his diary 12 February: "finished one of my finest childs [sic] portrait."The sitter's mother was so pleased with the finished portrait that, to the artist's surprise, she gave him a kiss."

Accompanying the lot is a handwritten letter on The Plaza New York letterhead with a postmarked date of "April 15, 1932" and addressed to "Mrs. Henrietta C. L. Patterson/Ritz Hotel/New York". The artist writes, "Friday Dear Mrs. Patterson It is a great disappointment to me that I was even prevented from calling on you this afternoon to which I so much looked forward. Many visitors came to my studio here - could not get away in time - On Monday at 5:30 - I hope to have the pleasure to great [sic] you here, when I will show you - some canvases which will interest you - amongst them was Milbank - she is very attractive to paint.

I would be grateful if you will let me have a good photo after my sketch of Miss Bush for my collection in London - before sailing on the 22nd. (?) I had a most interesting personality in her to paint.

Au revoir Dear Madam - yours sincerely PA de Laszlo

P.S. my studio here is in the first floor rm. 107"

De Laszlo was likely referring to his portrait of Mrs. Jeremiah Milbank, née Katharine Schulze (no.110467), painted in New York in April.