(British/Hungarian, 1869-1937)
nee Caroline Lowe Patterson (D.L.A.T.no. 111977), 1932, signed and inscribed lower right "de Lászlo/1932 miami III", oil on board, 35-3/4 x 27-3/4 in.; original hand carved and gilt wood frame signed verso with impressed mark "M. Grieve Co./hand carved/New York & London", 42-3/4 x 34-3/4 x 2-3/4 in.
Provenance: Commissioned from the artist by Robert Dun Patterson (1881-1945) and Henrietta Churchill Lowe Patterson (1882-1963), Dayton, Ohio; to their daughter, the sitter Caroline Lowe Patterson 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 Catalogue Raisonne of Works by Philip de Laszlo (1869-1937) at www.delaszlocatalogueraisonne.com. The note for the painting is as follows:
"In October 1931, de Laszlo made his fourth visit to the United States. On Christmas Day he stayed with Mrs. Robert Dun Patterson and recorded in his diary that she had: "a crowded Xmas party to tea - many interesting people present - & showed me her very pretty young daughter about 22. years old married & wishes me to paint her in New York." He was too pressed for commissions to complete the portrait there but did so during his stay with the Firestone family in Miami, Florida during Easter 1932. Caroline Lowe Patterson was born 13 April 1907 in Dayton, Ohio, the daughter of Robert Dun Patterson (1881-1945) and Henrietta Churchill Lowe (1882-1963). Her father’s family had founded the National Cash Register (NCR), a company established to manufacture and sell the first mechanical cash register. She was presented at Court to King George V and Queen Mary at Buckingham Palace in June 1926. On 19 January 1929, in Dayton, she married James Smith Bush (1901-1978), son of Samuel Prescott Bush (1863-1948) and Flora Sheldon Bush (1872-1920) of Columbus, Ohio. There were three daughters of the marriage. Their eldest daughter, Henrietta (born 1929), was painted by de László in 1934 [110664]. Their other daughters were Caroline (born 1933?) and Flora (born 1935). The couple divorced in 1948 and the sitter married in 1960, as her second husband, George Wilson Shaw."
This lot is accompanied by a two page letter to Mrs. Henriette Patterson on The Hotel Pancoast letterhead stating, "Dear Mrs. Patterson, Enclosed I send you reply to my wire...glad that they were able to dispatch this morning the frame with panel. If the case reaches me tomorrow evening - on Wednesday morning - I would be pleased to begin your portrait in (?) afternoon - (wed:) at 3:00 - In any case I will phone to you during the morning of Wednesday. Kindly keep free the afternoon & the following afternoons from three. I much looking forward painting the unusual attractive and interesting head of your daughter - Very Sincerely yours PA de Laszlo. P.S. - my studio is - at The School building of St. Patrick's church Miami." This letter seems to affirm de Laszlo's preference to paint his portraits while they are framed.
Literature: The Spur, 1933, ill.; László, Philip de, 1931 diary, 25 December entry, p. 363
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Commissioned from the artist by Robert Dun Patterson (1881-1945) and Henrietta Churchill Lowe Patterson (1882-1963), Dayton, Ohio; to their daughter, the sitter Caroline Lowe Patterson Bush; to their daughter Flora Sheldon "Shelley" Estate of Flora Bush Jansing, First Cousin of George H.W. Bush
board taped at all edges, one small point of retouch upper right, crackle, cupping and cleavage at proper left arm predominantly； frame with abrasions Note - Brunk Auctions makes every effort to offer accurate and thorough information, but encourages prospective bidders to inspect items in person whenever possible. Condition statements are provided as a courtesy for general guidance and should not be considered complete or definitive. They do not represent a warranty or assumption of liability by Brunk Auctions. Certain condition issues may not be specifically noted in the report but may be visible in the accompanying photographs, which are considered part of the overall condition report. Please refer to our Terms of Sale for complete information and contact us for additional photos or information as needed.
