Philip de Laszlo: The Queen of Spain

"Queen Victoria Eugenia of Spain"
by Philip de Laszlo

"July 2, 1926, was a momentous day for Philip de Laszlo. The Queen of Spain had signified her desire to be painted for the fifth time. The description of it is best given in his own words:

'Before the Queen's arrival, her German maid, escorted by a detective, brought her jewelry including her tiara. Our butler, Webster his chest resplendent with metals won during the Great War, stood at the gate. I waited on the studio steps, and Lucy stood inside with a bouquet. Her Majesty arrived punctually at 10:30 a.m., accompanied by her brother. 

It was just two years since I had last seen her when she visited my exhibition at the French gallery. She looked splendid, more beautiful than I have ever seen her, and her blonde hair and coloring were still as lovely as ever. As always she was most gracious and was pleased when Lucy offered her the flowers. Then she dressed and put on the tiara. She looked magnificent. [She also wore a long diamond necklace, which, along with the tiara, had been wedding presents from King Alfonso XIII. The necklace was originally shorter, but every year the King gave her new diamonds to extend it.]

As usual she inspired me, and tired though I was, I pulled myself together and began to paint after making a pencil drawing. I immediately attacked the canvas I had previously prepared in its frame. The painting progressed with lightning rapidity. I was quite unaware of the time, so carried away was I by my enthusiasm. 

Throughout my career my best work has always been done when I have painted without much consideration and very quickly. I had been at work half an hour when the queen's mother arrived with her lady-in-waiting. They were all astonished with the rapid progress of the portrait. In fact it was so far advanced that I was able to leave it on view that afternoon. Her Majesty left at 1 o'clock.'

It would appear from her signature in the artist’s sitters’ book that the Queen also sat for him on July 7, 1926. Upon its completion she presented it to her mother, and after her death it was hung in the Queen's drawing room in Lausanne until her own death."

To be continued

(Excerpts from "Portrait of a Painter" by Owen Rutter.)