Philip Alexius de Laszlo - Mrs Herbert Asquith, later Countess of Oxford and Asquith

Price Realized
£11,250
($17,381)

signed and dated 'P. A [?] LASZLO/1909' (lower right)
oil on canvas
36¼ x 28 in. (92 x 71 cm.)

Margot Asquith married Herbert Asquith in 1894. He became Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1905 and Prime Minster in 1908, holding that post until 1916. Born the daughter of Sir Charles Tennant, she was a prominent member of the intellectual circle known as 'The Souls', and was noted for her charm, unconventionality and wit. She was a great admirer of de László, and hoped that her husband would also be painted by him (regrettably this never happened). Facing the need for funds, she sold the portrait at Christie's in the middle of the war, and died two years thereafter, aged 81.

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