La Duchesse de Clermont-Tonnerre, née Elisabeth de Gramont, head study

The present painting relates to a large group portrait of three members of the de Gramont family, de László’s greatest friends and patrons in Europe. In 1929 the artist was at the height of his success and supremely busy. During sittings for the larger portrait, de László painted this head-and-shoulders study, which he gave to the Duchess as a token of his friendship. Years later, de László made another study of his sitter wearing a similar hat and dress. Elisabeth de Gramont was born on 23 April 1875, the daughter of Antoine XI-Agénor, 11th Duc de Gramont and his first wife, Princesse Isabelle de Beauvau-Craon. On 3 June 1896, Elisabeth married Philibert Marquis (and later Duc) de Clermont-Tonnerre.

We are grateful to Katherine Field for writing the catalogue entry for this portrait, which will be included in the Philip de László catalogue raisonné, currently presented in progress online: www.delaszlocatalogueraisonne.com