Lot Essay
Giles Lytton Strachey (1880-1932) first sat for Lamb in 1908. In 1911, Lamb decided to undertake a huge portrait of Strachey seated against the window of his studio at the Vale of Health, Hampstead.
Two years of studies followed with Lytton, who was a very willing model, sometimes sitting to Lamb for weeks at a time. The portrait was completed in 1913, but Lamb continued to work on it until 1918 (Tate Gallery, London).
A comparable drawing from circa 1913, which also shows Lytton with the full-length beard that he grew in April 1912 while suffering from mumps and the earrings which he wore after he had met Augustus John, was sold in these Rooms on 12 July 1974, lot 340 (950 gns.)
We are grateful to Dr. Keith Clements for his help in cataloguing this lot
Two years of studies followed with Lytton, who was a very willing model, sometimes sitting to Lamb for weeks at a time. The portrait was completed in 1913, but Lamb continued to work on it until 1918 (Tate Gallery, London).
A comparable drawing from circa 1913, which also shows Lytton with the full-length beard that he grew in April 1912 while suffering from mumps and the earrings which he wore after he had met Augustus John, was sold in these Rooms on 12 July 1974, lot 340 (950 gns.)
We are grateful to Dr. Keith Clements for his help in cataloguing this lot