Viscountess Byng of Vimy, née Marie Evelyn Moreton, half-length, wearing a dark stole over her dress, drop earrings, a long necklace and a Prince of Wales feather brooch at her breast

This portrait was painted in 1917, an exceptionally busy year for de László. Much of his time was spent painting portraits of officers about to depart for the front or briefly home on leave. This was an anxious period for Lady Byng. Her husband was serving as Commander of the Canadian corps in France, whose greatest feat, the capture of Vimy Ridge, occurred soon after this portrait was painted. Lord Byng was himself painted by de László in 1908 and again in 1933.
Marie Evelyn Moreton was the only child of Sir Richard Charles Moreton (1846-1928) and his wife Janie Ralli (1847-1929). Her father worked as comptroller of Rideau Hall, the Governor General’s residence in Canada during the tenure of the Marquess of Lorne (1878-1883). The Prince of Wales brooch Lady Byng wears in this portrait may have been a gift to her father or mother during the future King George V’s visit to Canada in 1882.
She married Sir Julian Hedworth Byng on 30 April 1902, he having proposed while serving in South Africa during the Boer War (1899-1900). He kept her cabelled reply, 'Yes, return immediately, Evelyn', on his desk for the rest of his life. Byng was appointed Governor General of Canada in 1921. For the next five years he and Lady Byng travelled extensively throughout the country, more so than any of his predecessors. They particularly loved ice hockey and in 1925 Lady Byng presented a trophy to the National Hockey League, which is awarded each season in recognition of sportsmanship and excellence in play. It is now known as the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy.
They returned to England in 1926 and Byng was raised in the peerage as Viscount and promoted to the rank of Field Marshal. Lady Byng was created Dame of Grace of the Order of St John of Jerusalem. Lord Byng died in 1935 and Lady Byng returned to Canada during the Second World War to live with friends. She died in 1949. There were no children of the marriage.
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.