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PROPERTY FROM THE ESTATE OF CARTER BURDEN "The mania of collecting is a disease for which there is no cure or treatment" These words of Carter Burden describe the lifelong passion of this Renaissance man, who was a prominent New York politician, a renowned philanthropist and the great-great-great grandson of Cornelius Vanderbilt. The wide-ranging nature of his taste in art and literature moved Burden to collect in many fields. His achievements ranged from the creation of an outstanding collection of Post-War American art to the formation of a superlative personal library which encompassed the canon of American 20th Century literature. His eye for art from other schools and periods was equally unerring, as evidenced in the selection of paintings and drawings spanning three centuries that will be offered in a series of sales in New York and London this spring and summer. He named the three criteria he followed in forming his collection: comprehensiveness, depth and quality. Christie's is honoured to offer this exceptional group of works that reflect the discerning eye, high standards and diverse tastes of the late Carter Burden.

Gwen John (1876-1939)

Portrait of a Woman: Chloe Boughton-Leigh

Details

Gwen John (1876-1939)
Portrait of a Woman: Chloe Boughton-Leigh
stamped with studio stamp 'Gwen John' (lower left)
pencil, black and grey wash
7¾ x 5¾ in. (19.7 x 14.6 cm.)
Executed circa 1910.

Provenance

Estate of the artist (E.J. 46), until 1961.
with Matthiesen, London, where purchased by T.G.L. Ashwell.
Anonymous sale; Sotheby's, London, 22 June 1977, lot 25 as 'Portrait of a Woman', to Davis & Long, New York, from whom purchased by the present owner, 1977.

Literature

C. Langdale, Gwen John, New Haven and London, 1987, pp. 30, 32, 35, 39, 43-4, 194, no. 194, pl. 43.

Special notice

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium.

Lot Essay

From circa 1907-10 Gwen John frequently used Ellen Theodosia (Chloe) Boughton-Leigh (1868-1947) as a model. She was the daughter of Edward Boughton-Leigh of Brownsover House near Rugby and with her younger sister Maude (Grilda), she had studied at the Slade before visiting Paris. During her visits to Paris Gwen John painted three portraits and executed a number of drawings of Chloe.

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