Sir John Lavery RA RHA (1856-1941)
Mother and Child
Oil on canvas board, 25 x 35cm (10 x 14")
Signed

 

In the early years of the new century John Lavery was introduced to sixteen year old...

Sir John Lavery RA RHA (1856-1941)
Mother and Child
Oil on canvas board, 25 x 35cm (10 x 14")
Signed

 

In the early years of the new century John Lavery was introduced to sixteen year old Mary Auras in Berlins Unter den Linden. She acted as a companion for his daughter, Eileen and became a regular member of his entourage for several years, having her portrait painted many times. Prof. Kenneth McConkey notes that Lavery described her asan inspiration.

 

Prof McConkey writes:Lavery painted many sketches and smaller portraits of Mary at least three of which were profiles. The first, painted in 1902, may relate directly to Printemps in the tilt of Mary's head, whilst the second is a smaller, simplified version of the third, the resplendent Miss Auras: The Red Book, the most ambitious of the group. Full-face studies include the equally sensitive Mary in Black.

 

Two other projects initiated with Mary are less well known. The Mother, although repainted from different models, in its original version showed Mary in bedclothes gazing down at a newborn babe.

 

McConkey suggests that there are a number of studies for this painting which is in the Ulster Museum, two of which show the mother in profile caressing her baby. The present work would appear to be another study for the UM painting. Having been in the present owner's family since the early 1940s it has not been previously recorded.

 

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