Lot Essay
The sitter was the American actress Edna May who had left the stage to marry Oscar Lewisohn. Her husband commissioned her portrait during 1915, the artist's busiest year for commissions and during which he earned £7,700 from portraits alone. Edna May's portrait earned the artist £700. She stands on the black and white chequered floor of the artist's studio in evening dress in the full-length format which he also used for the portraits of Mrs. St. George and her dog, and Madame Errazuris, which he exhibited as Madame X.
Edna May was also the subject of a portrait of Sir John Lavery.
Edna May was also the subject of a portrait of Sir John Lavery.