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Lot Essay
This elegant drawing of Isabella Anne Wolff (circa 1771-1829) perfectly captures her aloof beauty and grace. Her turban and the profile view suggest that it relates to the three-quarter-length picture of Mrs Wolff reading, commissioned by her sister circa 1802 and completed in 1815 (Art Institute of Chicago). Although Lawrence rarely executed direct preliminary studies for his paintings, he often made drawings, such as this one, in order to explore mood and pose. Drawn in the early 1800s, at a time when Lawrence was Painter-in-Ordinary to the King and at the height of his career as a society portraitist, it captures the intimacy which often arose between sitter and artist.
Mrs Wolff was the wife of the Danish Consul in London, Jens Wolff. She was at the centre of London society and regularly hosted large society parties at home. In 1810 Isabella and Wolff separated, and the present drawing appears to date from around this period in her life. Rumours have abounded that Isabella and Lawrence were lovers, but while there are many letters between them which demonstrate their intimacy and affection for one another, this has never been proved. What is clear is that she was one of his favourite sitters: there are eight known drawings of her, in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, Eton College, Rhode Island School of Design and elsewhere.
Mrs Wolff was the wife of the Danish Consul in London, Jens Wolff. She was at the centre of London society and regularly hosted large society parties at home. In 1810 Isabella and Wolff separated, and the present drawing appears to date from around this period in her life. Rumours have abounded that Isabella and Lawrence were lovers, but while there are many letters between them which demonstrate their intimacy and affection for one another, this has never been proved. What is clear is that she was one of his favourite sitters: there are eight known drawings of her, in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, Eton College, Rhode Island School of Design and elsewhere.