Portrait of Mavis in green

Details

Augustus Edwin John, O.M., R.A. (1878-1961)
Portrait of Mavis in green
signed 'John' (lower right)
oil on canvas
25 x 20 in. (63.5 x 50.8 cm.)

Provenance

Dalzell Hatfield Galleries, Los Angeles.
Acquired by the late owner by 1979.

Special Notice

Artist's Resale Right ("Droit de Suite"). Artist's Resale Right Regulations 2006 apply to this lot, the buyer agrees to pay us an amount equal to the resale royalty provided for in those Regulations, and we undertake to the buyer to pay such amount to the artist's collection agent. VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price and at 20% on the buyer's premium.

Brought to you by

India Phillips

iphillips@christies.com +44 (0)20 7752 3282

Lot Essay

Mabel Wright, known by her friends as 'Mavis', met her future husband, the eccentric prankster and poet, (William) Horace de Vere Cole (1881-1936), and Augustus John in 1928 at the Café Royal on Regent Street. Her marriage to Cole in 1930 was to be the beginning of an impressive social career as a 'Bright Young Thing'. In 1934 she became John's mistress, and following the death of Cole, she married the eminent archaeologist Sir (Robert Eric) Mortimer Wheeler (1890-1976).

More from Impressionist / Modern Day Sale

View All