PHILIP ALEXIUS DE LÁSZLÓ (BRITISH, 1869-1937)

Jean Gazlay Donaldson was born on 12 March 1893 in Nutley, New Jersey. Known in the press of the 1920s and 1930s as the 'Best Dressed Woman in Europe', she married six times in all, including the Egyptian Prince Mohammed Sabit Bey in 1925, and only a year later she married Paul Dubonnet, of the aperitif wine making family.
This portrait was painted in London, the sitter having travelled there with her Canadian husband Captain Winfield Sifton. He was painted in uniform by de László in March 1916. Sittings took place in May and Sifton was very pleased with the finished portrait: 'I have just arrived home to find your wonderful portrait of Mrs. Sifton here. It really is both a remarkable painting and a remarkable likeness. I am indeed most fortunate to have such a portrait of my wife and wish to tell you how much I appreciate it.'
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.